Arliss Gortmaker, 89, has gone home, leaving behind a circle of those who loved her.
What follows is written with love, by those who knew her best.
Arliss's story began in 1930, and unfolded across the years that followed.
Arliss held deeply to the Lutheran faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
Belief, when lived, becomes a kind of inheritance.
Arliss Gortmaker, 89 of Monroe, died on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at the Sanford USD Medical Center. Funeral Services will be at 2:00pm Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at the Faith Lutheran Church, Humboldt. Visitation will be from 5-7:00pm Tuesday at Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home, Parker. Arliss Erleen Nelson was born august 31, 1930 at Beresford, South Dakota to Anders and Antke "Mary" (Groon) Nelson. She attended and graduated Parker Public School, then went on to General Beadle College in Madison, South Dakota and Augustana College in Sioux Falls for teaching. Arliss then taught District 11 ,13, and 16 country schools for a number of years. On July 31, 1959 at Grace Lutheran Church in Parker she was united in marriage to Arnold Gortmaker with the couple making their home at rural Monroe, South Dakota. After leaving the teaching field, Arliss spent many years being active part of the farming operation raising livestock and crops with her husband. In addition she and Arnie took great pride in their motorcycles, and even into her 80's she enjoyed an occasional ride as a passenger with her son. In later years, she enjoyed visiting with friends and family and after Arnold's passing the companionship of her faithful golden retriever Rusty. She was often seen puttering around on her golf cart going down the driveway to get the mail with Rusty happily sitting beside her. Arliss passed away at Sanford Hospital on Sunday, October 6, 2019 from a very brief and unexpected illness while recovering from injuries she had sustained in an accident on the farm. Arliss was proceeded in death by her husband Arnold; her parents, brothers Arnold, Lowell, Leonard, Robert, and sisters Martha and twin sister Audrey. She is survived by her son Jeff (Connie) Gortmaker.
