Kathleen Fortman

Kathleen (Kathy) Fortman died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on June 20, 2024, at her home in Maple Plain, MN, at the age of 90.

Kathy will be laid to rest following a short prayer service in the Chapel at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 1825 46th St, Mandan, ND, at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Our family invites you to join us at a reception following the service at Broadway Grill and Tavern.

Kathy was born on September 12, 1933, in Beloit, WI, to Lawrence and Pearl Fornecker. She graduated from Beloit College and received her Registered Nursing Degree in Chicago, Illinois. Kathy loved caring for people as an RN. She worked in surgery and trauma care at Cook County Hospital, where she met her husband, Dr. Albert Fortman. They were married on October 1, 1960. They moved to Bismarck, ND, where Kathy focused on raising her children, volunteering with various organizations in the community, and working as a Director at North Dakota Rehabilitation Services.

Kathy loved celebrating and entertaining. She loved birthdays and holidays and made them all special. Christmas was her favorite. She had decorated trees in every room of the house, killer homemade fudge, and hand-painted Christmas cookies. Every package under the tree was wrapped with love from her. We all love the holidays thanks to Mom!

Kathy looked forward to summer and kept busy gardening, planting pots of colorful flowers, and taking care of the family cabin on Lake Isabel in Dawson, ND. She enjoyed grilling and hosting meals for family and friends. We have so many happy memories of our times at Lake Isabel. We can still picture her sitting in the sun after mowing the lawn. She loved the lake!

Kathy moved to Chaska, MN, in 2016 so she could spend more time with her children and granddaughters. We had the best of times, and we will miss our Mom and Grandma.

Kathy is survived by her children: Kim (Richard) Brown of Wayzata, MN; Al (Julie) Fortman of St. Bonifacius, MN; and Eric Fortman of Minneapolis, MN; and her granddaughters: Gabby Fortman of Bentonville, Arkansas, and Ivy Fortman of St. Bonifacius, MN. Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Albert Fortman; her son, Allen; her parents, Lawrence and Pearl Fornecker; her sister, Sandra Ryan; and several sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews from Wisconsin and Montana, as well as many close friends from Bismarck, ND.

In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to Elks Camp Grassick, 833 Grassick Lane, PO Box F, Dawson, ND 58428. Contact: 701-327-4251, campgrassick@gmail.com.