Leann Nanette Ortner, 58, passed away at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, after losing her battle with ovarian cancer.

Born October 10, 1967 in Dearborn, Michigan, she was the daughter of Kenneth Koenig and Minella Imlay. Leann graduated from Lone Jack High School in June 1985. She felt a calling to become a school counselor and soon enrolled in classes at Central Missouri University. Over the years, she served as a counselor at Sherwood Elementary (Sherwood Cass R-8 School District) and at Sni-A-Bar Elementary (Grain Valley R-V School District). She served as an elementary counselor for a total of 25 years, most of those with Grain Valley from where she retired in 2018. She loved working with the kids and had a real gift in the way she taught and cared for them. Leann’s loving, caring, giving spirit and faithfulness to her Lord was known by all that she met. She touched so many lives and hearts over her 58 years of life with her gentle smile, voice, touch and presence that will be missed as will her example of resilience and strength. She would tell you that it was only her faith, family and friends that helped her through some very tough years.

Leann married the love of her life, John Ortner, on June 21, 1997, at Lone Jack Baptist Church. John and Leann lived in the Johnson County, Missouri area during their 28 years of marriage. Those that had an opportunity to spend time with them witnessed their deep unwavering love that was built on a foundation of faith, respect and a genuine enjoyment of time spent together. Leann loved to travel to National Parks with John and her beloved service/therapy dog, Marshall, where they hiked and relaxed in the beautiful scenery. Leann enjoyed growing flowers, gardening, writing and painting/drawing; she loved music, playing the piano and “porch visits”. Her boys (Kai and Jake) and Mandy were very special to her; she was so very proud of them and loved to tell them to “keep making memories”.

Leann is survived by husband, John Ortner of Kingsville, MO, her sons, Kai Ortner of Kansas City, MO and Jake Ortner (and fiancee Amanda “Mandy” DeVenuta) of Split, Croatia. She is also survived by her brothers, Kenneth Koenig Jr (wife Cora) of Republic, MO and Kris Koenig of Manhattan, KS; mother, Minella Imlay, of Lee’s Summit, MO; Aunt Sandy Koenig (husband Dennis McNeely); mother-in-law, Donna Ortner; sister-in-law, Linda Bergeland; as well as 6 nephews; Jason Bergeland, John Bergeland, Keaton Koenig, Kenneth Koenig III, Korin Koenig and Killian Koenig, 1 niece, Kalea Koenig, and many extended family members and friends.  She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Koenig; father-in-law Donald Ortner and her companion service/therapy dog, Marshall.

A celebration of life will be held in the future with details to be provided at that time.