Wortman, David E.

David E. Wortman, 81, of Spirit Lake, passed away Monday, May 21, 2012, in Spirit Lake, due to complications after abdominal surgery. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake. A memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Schuchert Funeral Home. Burial will be at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery.

David was born Oct. 20, 1930, to Max A. and Blanche Wortman of Anamosa. He showed a grand champion steer at the Jones County Fair while attending Anamosa High School where he was nicknamed “Toad.” He held a BA from Coe College and an MA in Economics from the University of Iowa. He served as an Air Force officer in Korea. After marrying Enid Whade, a professor in Home Economics at Iowa State, they were part of an Iowa State sponsored team which taught in India for two years. After returning from India, Dave worked in real property tax assessment for the State of Iowa and then worked at Northern Natural Gas in Omaha.

After retiring, David and Enid spent many happy years in Spirit Lake where they were active supporters of the Lakes Art Center. David was a master basket-weaving artisan and he entertained each family generation with his ability to wiggle his ears.

David is survived his nephews and niece, Warren Wortman and Jay Wortman, both of Anamosa, Beth Wortman of Forrest, Va., Carl Starkweather of Ramsey, Minn., Neil Starkweather of Minneapolis and David Haut of Davenport; and by his in-laws, David and Cheryl Whade of Wahpeton, Althea and Frank Sedlock of Emmetsburg, and Doris Foell of Ames; and numerous nieces and nephews as well as grandnieces and grandnephews.

David was preceded in death by his wife, Enid Wortman; his brother and sister-in law, Max. G. and Louise Wortman; his sister, Helen Starkweather; and his niece, Lynn Starkweather.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lakes Art Center, Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Please leave a memory of David for the family at .

Published in The Gazette May 24, 2012.