Colleen Ortmayer

Colleen Kay (Taft) (Brunner) Ortmayer, 80, of Charles City, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 at home surrounded by her family.

A funeral service for Colleen Ortmayer will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 at Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church with Intern Beth Hurt officiating. Burial will be at Sunnyside Memory Gardens in rural Charles City immediately following the service.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home and will continue one hour before the service at the church on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Foster Grandparents, 624 North Main Street, Charles City, IA, 50616.

Colleen was born in Charles City, Iowa, on June 23, 1943, to Charles and Marie (Richman) Taft. She graduated from Charles City High School in 1961. She was united in marriage to Richard Brunner on June 10, 1962, at Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charles City. To this union, two children were born: Rodney and Renee Brunner. On Nov. 1, 1969, she was united in marriage to Duane Ortmayer at St John Lutheran Church in Charles City. To this union, two children were born: Douglas and Denise Ortmayer. They made their home in Charles City for 54 years.

Colleen spent her adult career involved in multiple occupations. She was the owner of Colleen’s Cloth Corner for fifteen years. Then transitioned to the fabric manager/buyer at Ben Franklin. Colleen ended her career as an administrative assistant with the Charles City Foster Grandparent Program, retiring December 8, 2023.

Colleen was no stranger to giving to things larger than herself. She spent the majority of her life being an active member in her community and giving back to the small hometown she loved. She lived a full life participating in Soroptimist Club, Pythian Sisters, Meals on Wheels, St. John’s Ladies Club and Bridge Club. The volunteer work that brought her the most joy was being “Grandma Colleen” at Lincoln Elementary School. Colleen was also a lifelong member of St John Lutheran Church.

Colleen enjoyed many hobbies in life, including sewing and crafting. She loved sharing her knowledge and creative ideas with others while also participating in showing her crafts for 35 years. Other favorite pastimes were playing cards and fishing with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Colleen had a love of music and dancing. She and Duane were members of the Charles City Twisters Square Dancing group for many years. She was known for her 4th of July yard parties. Colleen was an entertainer, some of her greatest joys in life were being among her family and friends while sharing stories and laughing alongside them. Her kindness, generosity, and genuine love was shared with all who knew her. She will be greatly missed by her family and everyone whose heart she touched.

Colleen was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Taft and Marie (Taft) Cole; first husband, Richard Brunner; and sister, Janice Barrett.

She is survived by husband, Duane Ortmayer; children: Rodney (Anne) Brunner of Longmont, Colorado, Renee (Quinn) Patterson of Sigourney, Douglas (Sandra) Ortmayer of Charles City and Denise (Michael) Strange of Greenfield, Indiana; grandchildren: Chris Smolik, Adrienne (Raul) Toledo, Robin (Pin) Fogg, Roxanne (John) Townsend, Dylan Patterson, Emily (Ryan) Weber, Hunter (Katherine) Ortmayer, Noah Strange and Nicklaus Strange; great-grandchildren: Oliver Toledo, Olivia Townsend, Sophia Patterson, Riley, Ella, Karlie and Maycie Weber.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.