Carl Martin Orthman III was born in Forsyth, MT to Carl and Ruby (Ledbetter) Orthman on December 15, 1942. The family moved to Kinsey, MT in 1947 where he attended country school until the 8th grade. In 1960, he graduated from high school at Custer County High School in Miles City, MT. Carl farmed with his father and brother for 13 years on the Kinsey Farm. He raised pure bred Columbia sheep who won many awards at shows. He served in the Army Reserve at Miles City for 8 years after completing training at Fort Ord, CA.
In 1977, he graduated with his Associate Degree in Nursing from Miles Community College. While attending school, he met Nancy Dix and they were married on August 26, 1977 at Cando, ND. He worked at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fargo, ND until 1980, when he began nurse practitioner school at UND in Grand Forks, ND. In 1981, he moved to Woonsocket, SD and worked at Tri-Count Clinic as a NA/PA. After moving to Lemmon, SD in 1985, he worked for Five Counties Hospital and West River Health Services in Hettinger, ND serving in many rural clinics. He logged many miles to bring health care to people in rural areas in northwest SD and southwest ND. In 1997, he was named Rural Health Care PA of the year by the American Academy of Physicians Assistants. In 2005, he moved to Valley City, ND and was a Physician Assistant in the Emergency Room at Mercy Hospital until he retired.
Carl was ordained a permanent Deacon on July 2, 1993 by Bishop Charles Chaput at St. Mary’s Church in Lemmon, SD. He graduated from Mount Marty College in Yankton, SD in 2000 with his Master Degree in Pastoral Ministry. He taught lay ministry class in the Rapid City diocese. Carl was active in preparing young and older people to receive the sacraments. He taught RCIA classes for over 25 years and found great joy in watching people grow in their faith. He was active in retreats and a weekly class at James River Correctional Center in Jamestown, ND and was a positive religious influence on many men’s lives. Carl was always supportive of Catholic Education and a member of REACH. He served on the Lemmon School Board for 12 years, 6 as president. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Cursillo, starting a weekly men’s prayer group.
Carl was a man of many interests and hobbies. He enjoyed working the land, especially his lawn and garden, which many people were recipients of his labors. He enjoyed traveling on religious pilgrimages to Mexico, Canada, and Rome. He was always reading and learning. Running and participating in triathlons when he was younger. He enjoyed camping, canoeing, woodworking and following the Minnesota Vikings and Twins as well as VCSU and NDSU teams.
Carl was a humble, kind, gentle, loving man. He was very generous, thoughtful and compassionate towards all. He not only shared his faith, he lived it. Carl’s children were his joy, sharing and teaching them all his knowledge and watching them partake in many activities. His children were his world.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy; son, Chris (Denise) Orthman of Valley City; daughters, Beth (Serena Olsen) Orthman of Bismarck, ND and Tosha Orthman of Valley City; brother, Ivan (Donna) Orthman of Miles City; grandchildren, Treylan Cope, Brockston Orthman, Alexis Witt, and Chelsey Witt; in-laws, Charles and Edie Dix of Cando, ND, Pat (Ana) Dix of Rock Spring, WY, David (Maria) Dix of Cando; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Mark Dix.
Deacon Carl Orthman, 76, Valley City, ND passed away at his home while under the care of his family and CHI Health at Home and Hospice on August 23, 2019. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Valley City. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday from 5:00-7:00 PM. The Rosary will be prayed beginning at 7 with the prayer service to follow. Burial will be in St. Catherine Cemetery, Valley City. A memorial mass will be celebrated in Lemmon, SD at a later date.
Lerud Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City is assisting Carl’s family with arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.lerudschuldt.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the stained glass window fund at St. Catherine’s.