Al Bortke

Alfred Junior Bortke, 78, Bismarck, passed away Sept. 20, 2015, in Bismarck. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Church of the Ascension, 1825 S. Third St., Bismarck, with Monsignor Jim Braaten as celebrant. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery.Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at Church of the Ascension with a vigil/rosary starting at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Al was born February 18, 1937 in Hettinger, ND to Antone and Dorothy (Towles) Bortke. He graduated from Hettinger High School in 1956 and from Valley City State College in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Al went on to complete post graduate studies at the University of North Dakota. Al married the love of his life, Linda Ukestad of Valley City June 24, 1961. They made their home and raised two sons, Todd and Paul, in Bismarck. Al's faith and his love for the crucifix and his family were of utmost importance to him. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Al's coaching legacy began with high school basketball while he was in college. He coached at St. Catherine's High School in Valley City, Turtle Lake, St. Mary's in Bismarck, St. James in Grand Forks and in Pipestone, MN. In 1973, he became the University of Mary's Men's Head Basketball Coach and first Athletic Director. Coach Bortke had a career record of 335 wins and 156 losses. Under his leadership, the 81-82 Mary College Men's Basketball team advanced to the NAIA National Tournament. Al had many accomplishments throughout his lifetime. In 1991, he was inducted into the University of Mary Hall of Fame; in 2000, he was the NAIA National Athletic Director of the Year; in 2001, he received the Valley City State University Distinguished Alumni Award; in 2004, he was inducted into the ND Special Olympics Hall of Fame; and in 2006, he was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame. On June 30, 2009, Coach Bortke retired and shortly after the University of Mary Basketball Court was officially named "Bortke Court" in his honor. In 2013, Al and Linda received their greatest honor by being awarded the United Way Lifetime of Caring Award. The Special Olympics was also very close to Al's heart. He was active within the organization and served as a member of the Special Olympics International United States Leadership Council. He was one of 19 delegates selected to represent the United States in Holland. Another passion of Al's was baseball, which was evidenced by his influence in the Babe Ruth Baseball program. He was inducted into the North Dakota Babe Ruth Hall of Fame. He also played a significant role in fund raising efforts for the new Bismarck Municipal Ballpark. Al loved fishing, holiday decorating and attending his grandchildren, nieces and nephews activities. He was a family man at heart and his unwavering love and support will be missed, but cherished always. He has set the greatest example for us all. Al is survived by his wife Linda, whom he lovingly referred to as "Toots", his sons Todd (Ann) and Paul (Jenelle). Surviving grand-children include Alex (Kim), Kristen, Hayley, Rowan, Sam and Jay, all of Bismarck. Al is also survived by his sister Gen (Norm) Krueger, Mandan, ND and brother Leonard (Mary) Bortke, Crystal, MN and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, Antone and Dorothy Bortke, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Larry and Margaret Ukestad, step-father Lawrence "Pappy" Stokes, grand-child Amy Bortke and nephew Jeff Krueger.