Burnita Kortman

Burnita Baa'
Burnita was born in Mapleton, Iowa, and was baptized into faith and confirmed at St. Peters United Church of Christ in Mapleton. Growing up in the church she developed a love for music. Burnita loved to play the pump organ while her aunt pumped the pedals, as she was too small to reach them. At a very young age Burnita learned of her Lord and Savior and as she grew so did her faith. After graduating from the Mapleton High School, she attended Iowa State Teachers College (now known as the University of Northern Iowa) for two years and then began her teaching career in Soldier and Charter Oak. On September 30, 1944, Burnita was united in marriage to Clarence Kortman at St. Peters United Church of Christ in Mapleton and the couple were blessed with the birth of three children.
Burnita was very caring and giving, not only of her time, but also her talents. Her clean and tidy home could always be found with the aroma of desserts baking and the cheerful sound of music. She loved helping her family with 4-H projects and sharing time with them. Her family, family values, and the love of her grandchildren were very important to her. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women; she taught Sunday School, played the piano and organ, and was in the choir. She was a past member of the Royal Neighbors and the Eastern Star. After her husband, Clarence, passed away she worked as Assistant Dean of Women and Dorm Mother at Midwestern College in Denison from the opening to the closing of the school. Her warm heart and dedication was demonstrated by the many long lasting friendships she had with former students. Burnita also worked at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital and lived in Charter Oak until August 2008 when she moved to the Reed House Assisted Living in Denison.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son, one brother and one sister. Survivors include: two daughters: Julie Strait and her husband, Loren of Charter Oak, Iowa; Judith Cloeter and her husband, Edwin of Washington, Michigan; eight grandchildren: Joel Cloeter and his wife, Esther of Stuttgard, Germany; John Cloeter and his wife, Kelly of South Lyon, Michigan; Kurt Cloeter of Lincoln, Nebraska; Pastor Erik Cloeter and his wife, Amber of Clio, Michigan; Kristin Shoemaker and her husband, Thomas of Shelby Township, Michigan; Bradley Strait and his wife, Erin of Gilbert, Iowa; Brian Strait and his wife, Carrie of Paducah, Kentucky; Christopher Strait and his special friend, Erin of Sioux City, Iowa; twenty great-grandchildren; four nieces; many other relatives and friends.
goe Kortman was born August 1, 1920, the daughter of Christian and Magritha Baa'goe Nielsen. She died at the Reed House in Denison, Iowa, Sunday, November 7, 2010, at the age of ninety.