Royce Marvin Ohrt, 74

Royce Marvin Ohrt, 74, of Dysart, was born on July 7, 1948, to Marvin and Manetta (Havran) Ohrt. Royce grew up east of Clutier and received his education at North Tama High School graduating in the class of 1966. He continued his education at Hawkeye Tech. He had a pilot’s license and raced motor cross. Royce moved to Freeport, IL, to work for Microswitch. While there he married Deb Hiteman. They moved to the family farm in Iowa, and shortly after, they divorced. Royce continued to farm and raise polled Hereford cattle. On March 4, 1978, he married Glenda Petersen at Zion Lutheran Church in Dysart, They lived on the farm and raised their family. Vacations were spent at rodeos, exploring caves and fishing trips. Eventually they moved to other communities including Keota, Buckingham, Montezuma and finally settled in Dysart. Royce was a skilled welder, he took great pride in his designs. He had many interests that changed throughout the years. These included hunting, horseback riding and fishing. He enjoyed card and board games with his family, which he usually won, and puzzles. Royce loved to tell jokes and stories. He was an avid fan of radio personality Paul Harvey.

Community involvement was important to Royce. He served on the Clutier Lions Club, and the North Tama School Board. He acted and sang in local performances of David and Goliath, and Sanders Family Christmas. He was known for his baritone singing voice. Royce was a man of great faith. He was most recently a member of Community Hope Assembly of God Church in Montezuma. He had many friends in his church family and enjoyed gatherings and Bible studies.

Royce died on Monday, March 27, 2023, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo, surrounded by his family. Services were at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church, Dysart, IA. Visitation was from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at Overton Funeral Home, Dysart, IA. Interment was in Dysart Cemetery. Condolences may be left at: www.parrottandwood.com.

He is survived by his wife, Glenda, of 45 years, his son Matt (Denise) Ohrt, of Mosinee, WI, his step children: Macey (Mike) Calderwood, of Traer, Jammie (Jamie) Riffey, of Reinbeck, Travis (Jen) Riffey, of Hemet, CA, his grandchildren: Cassidy (Brandon) Brost, Hannah, Lincoln, Gracelyn and Noah Ohrt, Landon and Tanner Calderwood, Dylan, Luke and Olivia Riffey and Kathryn and Hayden Riffey and one grandson Theo Brost. Royce was a hard worker and a fighter in all that he did. He did these things in a loving way and without complaint.