POLO, SD – James J. Ortmeier, 95, of Polo, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at his home, where he lived his entire life.

Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 26, 2025, at St. Liborius Catholic Church, Polo, with Monsignor Charles Mangan, celebrant. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Polo. Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m., Friday, April 25, 2025, followed by a 7:00 p.m. wake service, all at the church.

James was born on October 7, 1929, to Max and Elizabeth (Schaefers) Ortmeier in Miller, SD. James was the youngest of nine children and was born just prior to the Great Depression. He attended grade school at St. Liborius Catholic School and graduated from Fairview High School in 1947. In 1953, his mother passed away, leaving James to take care of his father until his passing in 1974.

On October 10, 1974, James married the love of his life, Warda Kay Esoph, and went from bachelor to father of seven overnight. In the days that followed, he joked that he didn’t think he’d ever get a good night’s sleep again. A year and a half later, their eighth and final child was born. James and Kay spent 38 happy years together until her death, and he missed her every day after.

James worked on the family farm for the majority of his life. Long days were spent farming, breaking horses, and raising cattle and sheep. He also made money welding gates, chutes, and overhead doors. Later on, he started selling gravel mined from his land.

James had many interests and hobbies outside of the farm: playing drums in the orchestra, singing alone or in groups, playing cards, and pool, always having a humorous story at the ready, watching westerns and rodeos, and creating welded miniature artwork. He truly loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, saying once, “Even though only one of you is my blood, you’re all my children.” He traveled frequently throughout his lifetime, but for his 95 years on this earth, his family farm on the Moonshine Trail was his only home.

James is loved and remembered by his children: Mike Mitchell and his children, Michael Mitchell and Lisa (Rob) Baloun; Cathleen Walker and her son, Casey (Elisa) Walker; Jeff (Patti) Mitchell and their daughter, Jessica (Tom) Snyder; Elizabeth Dinger and her children, Nik Dinger and Elizabeth (Anthony) Bruce; Donovan Mitchell and his children, Aleah (Jesse) Atwood, Emmy (Ty) Whipple, and Mason Mitchell; Chris Mitchell and his children, Savannah (Max) Horvatin, Christian Mitchell, James Mitchell, and Jack Mitchell; and James Ortmeier; grandson, Alex (Riley) Mitchell; 25 great grandchildren; his sister-in-law Millie Ortmeier; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his sons: Daniel (Deb) Mitchell and James Mitchell; his son-in-law, Curtis Walker; his grandchildren: Jolene Mitchell and Taylor Mitchell; his siblings: Ray (Laurine) Ortmeier, John (Kitty) Ortmeier, Agnes (Bill) Pangburn, Mary (Kenny) King, Bill (Katherine) Ortmeier, Barney (Millie) Ortmeier, Paul Ortmeier, and Father Richard Ortmeier.

Reck Funeral Home has been entrusted with Jim’s arrangements. Visit www.familyfuneralhome.net

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