Leann N. Ortner

Date of Birth:
Tuesday, October 10, 1967
Date of Death:
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Age:
58 years old

Leann N. Ortner

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.

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The family of Leann N. Ortner has received the following condolences.

HOW DO WE LIFT ONE ANOTHER? HOW CAN WE LIFT THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES LEANN LIVED? HOW CAN WE GIVE BACK TO HUMANITY, EVEN HALF, OF WHAT LEANN SHARED IN HER SHORTENED LIFE? WHY, SOME MUST FIGHT SO HARD TO LIVE & SHARE & MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY LOVING: & OTHERS LET THEMSELVES GET HOOKED ON DRUGS AND ALCOHOL & BITTERNESS, JEALOUSY & HATE; . BEING SELFISH. & MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER WORKED SO HARD: LIKE SHE SAID, SHE COULD HAVE HAD HER DOCTORITS DEGREE WITH ALL THE EXTRA CLASSES IN SUMMERS, NECESSARY JUST TO KEEP HER COUNSELING/ TEACHING DEGREE. THANK YOU: JOHN & BOYS FOR DOING ALL YOU COULD TO LOVE ON LEANN. ESPECIALLY, THESE LAST VERY HARD DAYS. SINCERELY, A MOM WHO IS HURTING; & IF I, NEED TIME!: I PRAY GOD'S ANGELS COMFORT YOU IN YOUR, HURTING TIMES!!! THROUGH, OUR LORD JESUS, AMEN!!! I EXPECT SHE IS LOVING ON YOU TOO, EVEN THROUGH, "THE VEIL"!! MOM/ GRAM

-- Minella L. IMLAY
Added on April 20, 2026

Leann was one of a kind. Her loving spirit and positive outlook came through in everything she did. She taught me so much just by being herself. My deepest sympathy and condolences to her family and all who love her.

With Love,

Michelle

-- Michelle Peterson
Added on April 12, 2026

Praise God we have a Savior who conquered death! LeAnn was one of those special precious sister warriors who truly believed and trusted Jesus for every moment of her life. She was entrusted with a great mission in her journey here on earth and she accepted and depended upon God in all of her struggles and challenges. I know that she looked at them as opportunities to display His strength through her weakness. Her faith is so beautiful and has now become sight. I’m sure that she was greeted by Jesus with “Well done, good and faithful servant…” And then, no doubt, Marshall gave her one of his wonderful slobber kisses and took her on a glorious walk in Heaven. No more pain, suffering, tears or death, only Jesus and His perfect love.

-- Susan Lee
Added on April 12, 2026

YES! The whole family always Loved you. RIP.

-- Uncle Ted.
Added on April 7, 2026