Obituary of Cletus Elmer Fortmann

Cletus E. Fortmann, 90, of Dyersville, Iowa died peacefully, Thursday, May 5, 2011. During the past year Clete's health slowly declined and his memory faded. He was assisted with gentle care and affection by his dear wife, Leona, his children and their spouses, his grandchildren, and in the past several months, the attention and care of the staff at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester. Friends may call from 2 - 6 p.m. Sunday, May 8, 2011 at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa. Friends may expect to gather after 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 9 at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, Iowa where funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Dennis Quint. Clete was born on December 22, 1920 toTony and Frances (Boge) Fortmann. He grew up on a farm northwest of New Vienna, Iowa and attended a country school and then St. Boniface School in New Vienna. On April 4, 1945, he married Leona Herbers in Valley Falls, Kansas. Clete and Leona farmed for 30 years northwest of Dyersville. In addition to being a full time farmer, Clete drove a weekly egg route, was a Hy-Line chicken salesman and a local Steckley Hybrids seed dealer. Clete was president of Farmers Shipping Association, a trustee of Bremen Township and an Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service director. Clete began working at Modernfold in 1968 while continuing to farm. In 1976, Clete and Leona moved from their farm to their home on 11th Avenue in Dyersville. Clete retired from his foreman job at Modernfold in 1985. He loved woodworking, country western music, traveling, and card parties with neighbors, friends and relatives, and spending time with his wife, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He left his children and grandchildren with many memories by sharing his woodworking projects that he enjoyed crafting during his retirement years. Survivors include Leona, his loving wife of 66 years, his 5 children: Diane (Ken) Koch of Petersburg, Roy (Ann) Fortmann of Chapel Hill, NC, Linda (Larry) Vandenberg of Arlington, VA, Donald (Helen) Fortmann of Dyersville, Jim (Teri) Fortmann of Marion; 13 wonderful grandchildren and 8 cute little great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial may be given to his favorite charities, Camp Courageous of Iowa or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.