WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Barbara Lee Wortinger, age 77, of Three Rivers, passed away Tuesday morning August 13, 2013 at her home with her loved ones by her side. She was born February 6, 1936 in Lima, OH., the daughter of the late George Herald and Mary Lou (Espen) Ruth.
Barb started her college career at Nazareth College in Kalamazoo and went on to Borgess School of Nursing where she obtained her Registered Nursing License in early August of 1957. One week later on August 25, she married her best friend and love of her life Mr. Forrest F. Wortinger. Shortly after they were married, Barb was asked to design, set up, and operate the first recovery room for the “Old Three Rivers Hospital” on Spring Street.
That was just the beginning of a long and very successful career with Three Rivers Hospital. She worked within the old and new hospital walls for more than forty years, taking some time off to raise a family of four. From recovery…to surgery…to O.B…. to floor nursing, and ending up in I.C.U., Barb was an outstanding nurse who helped thousands of people in her long and successful career.
In her spare time she loved fishing, swimming, gardening, cooking, singing and especially going to Disney World with her family. She was a happy soul and everyone around her felt her love of life and youthfulness.
Surviving Barb are her husband, four children and loads of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be forever missed and forever loved.
The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, August 18, 2013 at the Hohner Funeral Home to celebrate Barb’s Life. Private graveside services will be held at Harwood Lake Cemetery.
