Marlis Jean Krug Kottlowski Ortel, age 90, died after a short bout with cancer surrounded by her family in her home.
She was born in Waymansville, Indiana on August 11, 1931. She was born the 3rd child of Rev. Werner and Elfrieda (Lueck) Krug. Marlis was baptized by her father at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Waymansville, IN; was confirmed in her faith in June 1945 at St. John Lutheran Church in Austin, MN.
Her parents and two sisters all have preceded her in death: Joan Krug Venderly, and Margery Krug Lembke.
She is survived by her brother Phillip Krug. She was married on April 18, 1954 to Erwin C. Kottlowski who preceded her in death; and married to Donald Ortel on June 8, 2002, who survives. She has five surviving children and spouses from her first marriage: Nathan (Tina) Kottlowski, Sarah (Denny) Rippy, Brian (Sally) Kottlowski, Martin (Toni) Kottlowski, and Amy (Dave) Herring. She has 17 grandchildren: Nicholas (Rachael) Kottlowski, Brittany Kottlowski, Adam (Jhori) Rippy, Jacob (Tabatha) Rippy, Mariah Rippy, Rachael Kottlowski, Maxwell Kottlowski, Abigail (Dave) Beauchene, Michele (Tyler) McClish, Samuel (Samantha) Kottlowski, Immanuel (Andi) Kottlowski, Gabriel “Wolfgang” Kottlowski. She also has 11 great grandchildren: Lillian Hines, Avarie Hines, Emmalyn Oline, Natalie Oline, Joanna Kottlowski, Cooper Rippy, Henry Kottlowski, Eli Kottlowski, Juniper Rippy, Leif Kottlowski, and Ava Kottlowski. Marlis also cherished Don’s children: Tom (Karen) Ortel, Terry Ortel and Tonia Ortel Chisham, and grandchildren: Matthew (Meghan) Ortel, Michael (Meredith) Ortel and Alyssa (Russell) Matthews and great-grandchildren: Julia and Steven Cherny, Ava Ortel, Otis and Winston Ortel, and Jack Matthews. She was a fond aunt to many nieces and nephews.
Marlis attended Elkhart Medical Secretarial School and earned her training for medical assisting and transcription. She worked for Dr. Pierson in New Palestine before becoming a wife and mother. She continued to be actively involved in her church, Zion Lutheran of New Palestine. She volunteered as a Sunday School and VBS teacher, sang in the church choir, played in the bell choir, served on Parish Services, Evangelism Board, held leadership roles in the Ladies’ Aid, Zion Circle, LWML, and PTL.
In addition, she served as President of the Lutheran Institutional Ministry Council, District Board member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League; she has sung in the Metropolitan Lutheran Choir, the Liederkranz and Damenchor Lutheran Choir of Indianapolis. She and her husband Donald also served on Visitation Ministry to shut-ins and nursing homes.
Marlis was also employed as a bus driver for the Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock County. She worked at Hancock Memorial Hospital and St. Francis Hospitals as medical transcription and administrative assistants. After retirement and taking care of her husband, Erwin, she worked at the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library.
She was a voracious baker, gardener, world traveler, excellent hostess for family, friends, and church events and most importantly she loved her Lord and everyone around her knew it and saw it. Her faith and example of Christian living impacted every life she touched to the Glory of her Heavenly Father, Savior and Lord.
Visitation will be 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Thursday, February 24, 2022, at Stillinger Family Funeral Home, Hendryx Chapel, 11636 East Washington Street, Cumberland, Indiana.
Funeral service 11:00 am, Friday, February 25, at Zion Lutheran Church, 6513 West 300 South, New Palestine, Indiana 46163 with Pastor Jason Taylor officiating.
Burial immediately following at Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent directly to Zion Lutheran Church General Fund at the address listed above.
Please share your memories of Marlis and condolences with her family at www.stillingerfamily.com.
