Jack Robert Orts, 84, died Friday, Oct 9, under HIA Heather’s House, Fargo, ND, hospice care.

An afternoon prayer service at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, Valley City, ND, will be celebrated on Sunday, October 18th at 3:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 19th at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior. Following a St. Catherine’s lunch, a 1:30 p.m. burial at St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Oriska, ND, is scheduled. All are welcome.

Jack Robert Orts was born to Robert and Pauline (Roemer) Orts on November 2, 1941, in Floresville, TX. He excelled in 4-H, FFA and football. Jack was crowned King Reboog at the 1959 Floresville Peanut Festival. He graduated from Floresville High School in 1960. Jack played football at Texas A&M during his freshman year. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture education. Aggie football and traditions shaped Jack’s life and remained among his greatest joys.

Jack was an assistant county agent in Aberdeen, SD when Dorothy Orts, a young reporter from Dakota Farmer magazine, interviewed him for an article. He married her on December 27, 1969, at St. Bernard’s in Oriska, ND. Jack taught high school ag education and science classes in Rapid City, SD, Lyons, NE, Bisbee, Maddock, Valley City, Kathryn, Montpelier, Oriska and Parshall, ND. He and Dorothy reveled in developing the American Galloway Association, showing and judging at cattle shows across the US, Canada and once in Australia. Dorothy quipped that with every move they transported “more kids, more cows and more cats”. The Galloway by Orts operation settled in Oriska and functioned until Dorothy’s 2020 passing.

Jack enjoyed politics, visiting and watching any and all Aggie sporting events at New Perspective Assisted Living, West Fargo, ND, throughout the last 4 years of his life.

The SMP Health-St. Catherine’s North Campus team provided excellent care to Jack throughout his last months. The Orts family extends special gratitude to the Rev. Joseph Barrett, who patiently catechized and watched John Wayne movies with Jack many Thursdays for two years.

Jack visited his pasture one last time in September. He laughed all the way back to Fargo about the bright green grass brought by fall rain.

Jack is survived by four children, Erika (Charles) Bartunek, Horace, ND, Robert (Marsha) Orts, Minot, ND, Alexa (Ross) Johnson, West Fargo, ND, and Michael (Anna) Orts, Versailles, KY; his grandchildren, Gabriel Bartunek, Fargo, Grace Bartunek (Jacob Borgen), Las Vegas, NV, Noelle Bartunek, Horace, Raymond, Ronnie, Ross, Ronin, Robin and Roxy Johnson, West Fargo, and John, Aubrey and William Orts, Versailles, KY. He is survived by his sister, Janice Witten, Floresville, TX, brother-in-law, Palmer Holden, Iowa City, IA, sister-in-law Mary (Thomas) Olson, Jamestown, ND, girlfriend Peggy Fisher, West Fargo, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, past students and friends.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, parents, Robert and Pauline Orts, brother-in-law, Kenneth Witten, sister-in-law, Sheryl Holden, beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.

Any monetary gifts given to the family will be donated to HIA Heather’s House, Fargo, and the Floresville FFA Booster Club, 743 CR 141, Floresville, TX 78114.

A funeral Mass livestream and online guestbook will be available at www.lerudmathias.com. Traditions Funeral Services of Valley City has been entrusted with handling arrangements for the Orts family.