Eric (Ric) Joseph Ortmeier, 79 of Fontanelle, Nebraska, passed away Monday, February 24, 2025, at Methodist Omaha Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born May 10, 1945, in Dodge, NE, to John (Fred) and Catherine (Grewe) Ortmeier.
Ric grew up in rural Dodge and graduated from Dodge High School in 1963. He attended college at Wayne State where he graduated with a degree in accounting. After college he immediately married his high school sweetheart, (who was obviously way out of his league), Wanda (Spies) Ortmeier on June 21, 1967, in Lincoln. They lived for a time in Buena Vista, IA, before moving to Omaha and having five children in 12 years. They were in search of a smaller town experience for raising their children and starting a business. In 1980, Ric opened his CPA business in Arlington before the family officially moved to an acreage north of town in 1984. He moved his business to Fremont in 1994 where it remains to this day.
Ric was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Fremont where he was an adamant advocate for bringing Catholics back to the church. He enjoyed a good sunrise and a legendary Nebraska sunset and often admired a full moon. He was a motor enthusiast and loved anything you could drive, including snowmobiles, go-carts, tractors (NEVER Green, International/RED forever!) and classic cars. In his later years began collecting some of his favorites like his beloved 1941 Cadillac, 1959 Buick, 1965 Cadillac.
As a CPA he built his tax business partnering with local farmers and started auditing small towns and school districts. Over the years he uncovered more than a few cases of embezzlement that put people behind bars.
He could fix anything and spent many years building up the family’s 1904 Victorian farmhouse and outbuildings. He could be found coaching baseball for his sons and basketball for his daughters. He loved investing in people and doing all he could to help them realize their full potential. Never one to turn down a good time, you could find him on a dance floor when “Old Time Rock & Roll” hit and regularly giving people a hard time with a good story and a glass of scotch in his hand.
He is survived by his children: Sons Steven Ortmeier of San Diego, CA, and Jeff Ortmeier of Bennington, NE; daughters, Annie Ortmeier and Joseph Kustelski of Nashville, TN, and Lindsay (Timothy) Anderson of Sutton, NE; brother Harold Ortmeier of Blair, NE, sister Deana Mark of Denver, CO; brother-in-law Wilbert Throener of West Point, NE; sister-in-law Sheryl Spies of Fremont, brother-in-law Jeff (Tammy) Spies of Mullen, NE and 11 grandchildren — Caden, Tristen, Allison, Eric, Emily, Adelyn, Rex, Grace, Crew, Bo and Evelyn, and many nieces and nephews.
Ric was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Wanda Ortmeier, his son, Christopher Ortmeier, his parents and sisters, Henrietta Tomka of Clarkson, NE, Elizabeth Throener of West Point, NE, and brother Cletus Ortmeier of Milford, IA.
Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 28, 2025, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Fremont. Visitation will be on Thursday, February 27, from 4-7 p.m., and a Rosary will be at 7 p.m., also at St. Patrick’s. Interment will be 1 p.m. Friday at the Hartung Cemetery at Camp Fontanelle.
Memorials can be made to the family who will designate to various Catholic charities.
Online condolences may be left at www.mosermemorialchapels.com.
Moser Memorial Chapel, 2170 N. Somers Ave. Fremont, NE 68025 402-721-4490.
