White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

DUNKERTON - Marcella Agnes Ortner, 91 years old, of Independence, IA, and formerly of rural Dunkerton, IA, died Thursday, November 28, 2024, at MercyOne Medical Center – Waterloo, IA, following a short illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. - Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at St. Francis Catholic Church – Barclay, rural Dunkerton, IA, with burial in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. until service time, Wednesday, at the church.

Marcie was born October 9, 1933, at home in rural Webster City, IA, the daughter of Charles J. Nilles and Mary Lucy (Mariga) Nilles. She attended school in a one room schoolhouse down the road from the farm she grew up on near Gilmore City, IA. On October 24, 1951, she was united in marriage to Eugene August Ortner at St. John Catholic Church in Gilmore City. After Eugene was discharged from the U.S. Army, the couple moved to Waterloo, before moving to Winthrop, IA, where they rented a farm. In 1958, they were able to move to rural Dunkerton, IA, where they raised their family and farmed.

Primarily dairy farmers, they maintained a dairy herd the whole time they farmed. Marcie also raised chickens and was always proud of her yard and large garden. She canned and froze lots of produce. She helped with the barn chores and was active in all manners of planting and harvesting. She enjoyed her kids and grandkids. During the summer, she often kept the grandkids for a full week at a time. Family was always important to her, as she kept in touch with her siblings a great deal. Upon retirement in 2005, Marcie and Eugene moved to Independence, IA. Eugene preceded Marcie in death in 2009. Marcie was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church – Barclay, rural Dunkerton, IA, and a long-time attendee of St. John Catholic Church, Independence, IA.

Marcie is survived by two daughters, Joanne (Gary) Bucklin of Creston, IA, Mary Ann (Doug) Weaver of Franklinton, NC; one son, Stephen (Monica) Ortner of Harmony, MN; 8 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; two brothers, Jack (Verna) Nilles of Humboldt, IA, Jim Nilles of Minnesota; four sisters, Mary Buckner of Missouri, Barb Sawyer of Humboldt, IA, Clarine (Frank) Albeita of New Mexico, Eva (Jack) Cafferty of Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one daughter, Patricia Ortner; one son, Michael Ortner; one granddaughter, Jenifer Dahly; one grandson, Adam Ortner; two sisters, Dorothy Meier, Lucille Ortner; and four brothers, Donald Nilles, Melvin Nilles, Joseph Nilles, and Harold Nilles.

Memorials may be directed to the church.

Condolences may be left at www.White-MtHope.com
White Funeral Home, Jesup, IA is in charge of arrangements.