Harry Doc Lortz

Harry Phillip “Doc” Lortz was born at Osmond, Nebraska, March 30, 1920, the son of Philipp and Elizabeth Schaffer Lortz. He grew up on the farm at Plainview, Nebraska, receiving his early education in the rural schools before graduating from Plainview High School with the class of 1936. He furthered his education at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where he received his D.V.M. in 1942. Following his graduation he joined a veterinary practice in Earlham, Iowa. On August 8, 1942, Doc was united in marriage with Betty Drewelow at Grant City, Missouri. They made their home in Earlham and their union was blessed with two children, Sandi and John. In 1950, they moved to Coleridge, Nebraska, where Doc operated his private veterinary practice until retiring in 1977. Following retirement Doc and Betty moved to Ames, Iowa, where they enjoyed attending many of the Iowa State University sporting events. In 1993, they moved to Yankton, South Dakota, where they resided until January of 2015 when they moved to Dunlap Specialty Care in Dunlap, Iowa. During their years in Coleridge Doc was a long time active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, serving the church in many capacities; a member of the Coleridge Masonic Blue Lodge; Abu-Bekr Shrine in Sioux City; and a 30 year member of the Coleridge Community Club. As an avid baseball fan he enjoyed attending St. Louis Cardinals’ games each summer and devoted 32 years of his time to the youth baseball programs in Coleridge. He was a loyal supporter of his alma mater, Iowa State University, being a Charter Member of the ISU Cyclone Club and a Life Member of the Iowa State University Alumni Association. Doc died Wednesday morning, November 25, 2015, at Dunlap Specialty Care, Dunlap, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 95 years, 7 months and 25 days. Including his parents, Philipp and Elizabeth Lortz, Doc was also preceded in death by one brother Fred Lortz and one sister Margaret Perry. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife of over 73 years, Betty Lortz of Dunlap, Iowa; one daughter: Sandi and husband Jim Sharp of Arion, Iowa; one son: John Lortz and wife Sue Leavitt of Omaha, Nebraska; three grandchildren: Jeff Sharp and wife Julie of Columbus, Ohio, Wendi and husband Eric Tonder of Fairmont, Minnesota and Jack Lortz of Omaha, Nebraska; four great-grandchildren: Ellie and Abby Tonder and Megan and Gabe Sharp; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, November 28, 2015, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Coleridge, Nebraska, with the Rev. Debra Valentine officiating. Music for the service included the congregational hymns of “How Great Thou Art” and “Here I Am Lord”. Pallbearers included Jeff Sharp, Wendi Tonder, Jack Lortz, Ellie Tonder, Abby Tonder, Megan Sharp and Gabe Sharp. Interment was at the Coleridge Cemetery, Coleridge, Nebraska. A visitation was held from 1:00 p.m. until time of the service at the church. Following the interment the family invited everyone to return to the church and join them for fellowship and refreshments catered by Ken’s Market. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, had the privilege of caring for the Lortz Family.