Eldon L. Orthmann

Hastings resident Eldon L. Orthmann, 81, passed away Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Edgewood Vista in Hastings, NE.

Memorial Service will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 21, at Faith Lutheran Church in Hastings, with Pastor Paul Dunbar officiating. Burial will be held at Parkview Cemetery at a later date. There will be no viewing or visitation. Memorials may be given to Heartland Pet Connection. 

Eldon was born December 7, 1944, to Ernst and Estella (VonLoh) Orthmann in Holdrege, Nebraska. He graduated from Holdrege High School in 1963. Eldon served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1966. Following his military service, he worked as a photographer for the Daily Citizen in Holdrege.

Eldon married Mary Ann Dahlgren in 1969, and they later divorced. He moved to Hastings to work for the Hastings Tribune before opening Orthmann’s Old Market Photography in 1977. Through his photography, Eldon captured generations of graduations, weddings, sporting events, and countless special occasions. His photographs preserved treasured memories for families and the community for many years.

Eldon and Tammy met in 1993 and were married in 1996. Eldon and Tammy recently celebrated 30 years of kids, cats, and dogs.

Eldon was also involved in local politics and community service. He was elected to District 7 in 2006 and served as Adams County supervisor in 20006. He served on several boards supporting senior citizens and was a part of the Downtown Hastings Business Improvement District. Eldon was one of the first volunteers at Heartland Pet Connection and served on its board several times. He was a devoted animal lover, especially when it came to cats.

Eldon was a talented handyman with extensive carpentry knowledge and skills. As a property owner, he took pride in maintaining his properties and completing his own repairs. There seemed to be very little he couldn't fix or figure out.

Above all, Eldon treasured his friendships. He had many friends who meant the world to him, and he would drop anything to lend a helping hand. He was just as comfortable asking his friends to help him with a project, knowing that friendship meant being there for one another. Eldon had a huge heart, never met a stranger, and always had a story to tell. His stories, humor, generosity, and willingness to help others will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Eldon was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Eugene.

He is survived by his wife, Tammy of Hastings; stepchildren and their spouses, Miranda and Jesse Sullivan of Carver, Massachusetts, Christine and Clayton Schenk of Hastings, Nebraska, and Patrick O’Neil of Lincoln, Nebraska; grandchildren, Rowyn, Jax, Jude, Abraham, and Maxwell; mother-in-law, Shirley Petersen of Hastings; sisters-in-law, Sandi Stevens of Hastings and LeEtta Petersen of Hastings; and many dear friends.

Eldon’s legacy is filled with generations of smiling portraits, a steadfast promise to serve Adams County, and the deep satisfaction of a life’s work well done.