Albert M. Bortnem, age 83, of Brookings, died Friday, November 7, 2003, at Brookview Manor in Brookings. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Monday, November 10, at Midway Lutheran Church, rural Colman, with interment in the church cemetery. Visitations will be from 4-7 P.M. Sunday, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. Albert M. Bortnem was born July 5, 1920, near Colman, South Dakota, to James and Mary (Thompson) Bortnem. His father died before Albert was born, so he lived with his mother and sisters at his grandparents farm until the age of 12 when the family bought a farm across the road. He attended McCurdy country school through the eighth grade, and graduated from Brookings High School. He began farming after graduation and bought his own farm in 1940. In September 1964 Albert married Verda Lee Smith. They continued farming until 1984, when they moved into Brookings. Verda died August 7, 1998. Albert enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing, golfing, r.v. camping, and playing the accordion. He was a member of the Midway Lutheran Church and the Brookings Elks Lodge. Survivors include six children: Vickie (Dan) Ramaekers of Omaha, Nebraska, Alden (Teresa) Bortnem of Brookings, Patty Bortnem of Sioux Falls, Kathy (Robi) Hansen of Madison, South Dakota, Bruce Bortnem of Brookings, and Beth (Todd) Bouska of Hartford, South Dakota; nine grandchildren: Ben, Tom, and John Ramaekers, Chad and Andrew Bortnem, Jared and Nicole Hansen, Lacey Bortnem, and Dustin Weeks; and a sister, Sadie (Clint) Bortnem, of Brookings. He was preceded in death by a sister, Avis, and his wife, Verda.