Lorna K. Kortum

1927 - 2025

In the wee hours of Saturday April 26, 2025, Lorna Kortum departed this earthly realm at her Ellensburg residence with family at her side. Lorna was three years shy of 100 years old, a goal her mother achieved in 2001. Born in Big Timber, Montana on November 19, 1927 to Ralph and Katherine (Kerns) Lovelace, Lorna and her little sister Margie Jo were raised by a rancher and a school teacher near Colstrip, Montana. Lorna loved animals and especially liked to cuddle and sleep with little chicks in bed. After being homeschooled by her mother, Lorna attended public schools in Rosebud County, Montana. She excelled at reading and was often selected by the teacher to read to the class. In June 1946 she graduated from Hardin High School soon to attend Montana State University, in Bozeman. It was here that she met her future husband, Harold Kortum, a handsome young man newly discharged from the Merchant Marines. She was immediately attracted by his intellect, maturity, and seafaring adventures. On December 23, 1947 they were married at her parents' ranch, a picturesque backdrop with ponderosa pines and sandstone buttes.

The couple first settled in the former city of Vanport, Oregon, which infamously was flooded into oblivion on May 30, 1948. As homeless inhabitants they returned to Bozeman and attended Montana State University once again, with Harold graduating in 1951. Job opportunities beckoned them to Portland, Oregon where their three children were born. In 1966 the Kortum family moved to Lake Forest Park, Seattle. Lorna passionate about personal development enrolled in courses at local community colleges. This eventually led to her attending the University of Washington where she earned her baccalaureate degree in 1970 at nearly 43 years of age. In the early 1970s Lorna was employed with Burke Marketing Research in downtown Seattle. As a supervisor she conducted training for important research jobs in the field and at the office.

In 1978 the Kortums moved to Vantage, Washington when Harold was employed with Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington as a technical supervisor for the Physical Plant. In 1979 Lorna was hired as an instructor with the Washington State Career Change Program in Yakima, Washington. She assisted unemployed individuals in acquiring new career objectives and job-seeking skills.

Lorna had a gift of music. As a four-year old she trotted over to the family piano and plucked out the song My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean playing only by ear. Throughout her lifetime Lorna continued tickling the ivories entertaining family and friends with tunes such as The Beer Barrel Polka and The Wreck of Old '97. She cherished playing hymns for her community church in Desert Aire, Washington and enjoyed listening to a variety of music genres at home. The LP that received the most plays was Santiago!--Modern Chilean Folk Music, first recorded in 1957.

Lorna's passing is the last of that family generation. The end of an era of hard working dreamers and achievers who never looked back and tenaciously overcame obstacles. Lorna is survived by her children Scott (Charlotte) Kortum, Eric (Sharon) Kortum, Krista Kortum, grand-daughter Katie Kortum and many dear nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harold, and sister Margie Jo Dunbar. Special thanks to Hearthstone Senior Living, Kittitas Valley Hospital Home Healthcare and Hospice for ensuring the comfort and care of Lorna during her last days. A celebration of Lorna's life is scheduled at Hearthstone Senior Living on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 3PM.