Marlene Bortz

Marti was born March 1, 1940 in Des Moines, Iowa. She passed away on July 2, 2016 in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. She is survived by her only child Mark Chapman of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, (married to Brenda Enns Chapman,) and by her Grandchildren Alison Chapman, Christopher Chapman, and Bradley Chapman. Marti was preceded in death by her husband Daryl Bortz of Ottumwa, Iowa.
Marti graduated from Des Moines Technical High School in 1959, and as a young woman worked at various jobs in the Des Moines area. She moved out of state, but in the late 1960s returned to Iowa with her young son, Mark and settled in Winterset where her parents, Roy and Merline Nichols, lived. They lived in Winterset until Mark moved in 1980, and Marti moved a few years later to Ottumwa when she married Daryl Bortz. In 2003 she moved to Broken Arrow, OK to be closer to Mark.
Marti was always active in her churches, playing piano among many other things. She loved Gospel music. She also loved being active in local politics, as a member of the Republican Party, in whatever city or county she may have lived in.
A NOTE FROM MARK CHAPMAN
As I was growing up, my mother always did her best to provide a good fun loving home, with all the toys and food and fun a young boy would want. She did a great job at that. And she would always make sure we were in church every Sunday, and would teach me bible verses at bedtime. Although I complained at the time, I am forever grateful that she did it. Thank you, Mom!
Even though we may have lacked a lot of things, one thing we did not lack was the kindness of other people who helped a single mom and her young son. I wish to publicly express my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the good folks of Winterset (what a great town!) and Ottumwa, and other parts of Iowa, to all the relatives, and the extended church family of the Church of God of Prophecy, Ottumwa Assembly of God, to the Bortz family, and many others, who helped Marti and me in so many ways. You were, and are, a blessing.
Those who knew Marti well also knew she suffered from some medical challenges. But no matter where she was or where she lived, she always made friends. And every time I introduced myself as her son, people always said the same thing to me: "Your mother is such a sweet woman". Indeed she was You are home now, Marti. Be at Peace. We love you and we will miss you!
Mark Chapman