Special Obituary from Ercell Fortney, Patty's husband:
She was born Patricia Sue Saltmarsh on November 22, 1953 in Shelby County, Iowa to Robert Wayne Saltmarsh (1930-2023) and Karen Darlene (Olsen) Saltmarsh (1928-1914). She grew up on farms near Marne and Elk Horn, Iowa and those that knew her knew she always worked very hard doing chores and milking cows. That’s how she became an outdoor girl! She went through school at Elk Horn and in high school was very active in basketball, acting and singing. She played the lead in the HS production of the ‘King & and I’. She went to college in Maryville, MO where she received a vocal music degree. After winning the Miss Audubon/Shelby beauty contest, she competed in the Miss Iowa contest. I felt she was the winner but the judges disagreed.
She married me, Ercell Fortney, on December 18, 1976. Every weekend it seemed we were traveling to a wedding so she could sing either for friends or cousins or sisters. It seemed we were all getting married around the same time. After college she performed in numerous community plays and always ended up being the lead/star of the show. She taught K-12 music for two years before family obligations (children) interfered. Her main activities after starting a family were growing her own organic food, cooking it, playing tennis and studying the Word. She had always been athletic and her tennis game was exceptional.
Patty was very good at making friends which is easy to see. I have always marveled at how she made such good friends. Her best friends though were her sisters and they were close. She lost an older sister Cindy in 2011. Her sisters (my sisters for a long time now) Diane French, Debra Christensen (Jim), Teresa Cagwin (Mark), Karen Marschel (Ron) spent a lot of time together and shared everything. She also loved and was very close to her younger brother Robbie Saltmarsh (Teri). This family loves the Lord and knows that Patty is much happier now. She is young and strong again and is making room while waiting for us to get there.
We have 4 children John, Rachel, Luke and Jared who, like me, are struggling with the loss of the greatest mom and wife. Patty loved her grandchildren more than I can express properly here: Tayte, Avery, Ella, Ben & Violet and Jude. They are all great kids and will miss their grandma very much.
Special Remarks from Ercell and Family:
I personally feel so lost and sad that she has gone on ahead. I know that she is in a better place but it is still so darn hard being without her. Knowing I will meet up with her again in heaven is my only saving grace! Not ever hearing her sing will leave an emptiness in me that I will feel forever. Her singing always made me tear up. I just couldn't believe that I could be married to someone that could sing like that. I just never got used to it. I hope I can stop crying long enough to thank you all for being there for her and me. I know she loved you all! - Ercell
