Ortrun came into this world on October 8, 1936, in Hanover, Germany. She left this world on March 17, 2020 is Sarasota, Florida at the age of 83.
She was predeceased by her parents in Germany manyyear ago, and also a sister, Renate. She leaves behind her companion, Mary Jane Ellison; her former husband, George Gauthier of Garrettsville; her son Marcel(Sharol) currently living in Shaghai, China; her daughter Kirsten (John) Gauthier-Newbury of Glenwood Springs, CO; and her granddaughters Sophia Gauthier and Colette Gauthier. She is also survived by her cousins Jurgen (Peggy) of Mansfield, PA and Christa (Klaus) Fleischhack of Germany.
Ortrun came to this country in 1960. She was invited to live at the home of a Princeton professor whose family she had traveled with in England previously. In Princeton, she met and eventually married Geroge Gauthier, who was studying for his doctorate in French.
After the wedding, they went to Hanover, NH, where George taught for three years at Dartmouth College. Their son Marcel was born there. Subsequently, they moved to Cleveland where their daughter Kirsten was born. They settled in Hiram, OH in 1970.
Ortrun had been studying the recorder for many years and was proficient in early music. While at Hiram, she gave private lessons in recorder to several local children. She also became a student at Hiram College, graduating with her daughter Kirsten, both Magna Cum Laude.
Ortrun was a member of the American Recorder Society. She attended many workshops in early music and played in local groups. She organized musical events with her young students.
Along the way, she also became a devotee of Julia Childs and mastered the art of French cooking. Her gourmet meals were much appreciated by her friends and family.
Ortrun became the choir director at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Garrettsville for several years, and during her time there, she introduced the bell choir.
She read extensively and enjoyed attending concerts of classical music. For exercise, she particularly enjoyed cycling. To celebrate her 70th birthday, she joined a group of some twenty women who cycled all the way from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL. In recent years, she continued to cycle in Sarasota, as well as play and teach recorder.
Ortrun was a kind, intelligent and multi-talented person and will be sorely missed. Cremation has taken place in Sarasota. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
