LaRhue Griswold Fisher in Lincoln, NE. When NyLotis was 4 years old, the family moved
to Falls City, NE. NyLotis attended grade and high school in Falls City, NE, graduating in
May, 1950. NyLotis took violin lessons for 14 years and was church organist for the
Presbyterian Church of Falls City.
NyLotis was an accomplished violinist and left a promising career in music to marry
Calvin VanOrnam on July 27, 1951, in Wichita Falls, TX. After her marriage, NyLotis
played violin in the Wichita Falls Texas Symphony Orchestra.
To this union were born 3 daughters: Karen Zortman of Grand Junction, CO, Karla
VanOrnam-Humphrey of Rogers, AR, and Kimberly VanOrnam of Maricopa, AZ. NyLotis
provided a loving and nurturing environment for her husband and children.
Also born were 7 grandchildren: Stephanie Scritchfield and Stacy Latham of BelleVista,
AR, Sean Zortman of Kaysville, UT, Joseph Zortman of Minneapolis, MN, David Zortman
of Hot Springs, SD, Conner VanOrnam-Post of Maricopa, AZ, and Aiden Humphrey-
VanOrnam of Rogers, AR.
In addition to the grandchildren are 10 great grandchildren: Kyle, Chelsea, Matthew,
Amy, Rachel, Tyler, Ethan, Austin, Abigail, and Sydney Bloom. And 7 great-great
grandchildren: Cole, Grace, Eleanor, Phillip, Matthew, Brooklyn and Quinn.
Upon Calvin’s discharge from the USAF, the family moved to Concordia, KS, where they
lived for 10 years. During this period, NyLotis sang solos in church services and Easter
and Christmas celebrations, lending her soprano talent for the enjoyment of all. They
family then moved to Custer, SD, where Calvin worked as an electronic technician for
the US Forest Service.
After Calvin’s retirement from the USFS, he and NyLotis lived summers in Custer, SD,
and winters in Pharr, TX, for 22 years. During the winters, NyLotis started and directed a
strings group (the Singing Strings) that played for local church services and as part of
orchestral performances.
After Calvin’s death in 2016, NyLotis moved to Grand Junction, CO, where she lived with
her daughter, Karen Zortman.
Interment will be in the Mausoleum of Angels in Lincoln Memorial Park, Lincoln, NE.
