Ocile Portmann

Ocile Portmann - 05/12/2003 Ocile Portmann - 05/12/2003 OCILE PORTMANN WEST YELLOWSTONE, MT -- Helen "Ocile" Norman Portmann, 77, of West Yellowstone, Montana, passed away May 11, 2003, following a courageous two-year battle with lung cancer. She was being cared for in her Idaho Falls home by her loving family, friends, and the wonderful folks from Aspen Hospice. She was born March 10, 1926, in Powers Ville, Missouri, to Oscar Oliver Norman and Ida Ellen Baumgardner Norman. She lived her life on the Diamond "P" Ranch in West Yellowstone, Montana, and brought joy to young and old renting saddle horses and giving each visitor a wonderful Montana experience. Ocile married Martin "Port" Portmann in 1950 and homesteaded the Diamond "P" in 1953. They adopted two children, Toni and Rex. They spent winters in Idaho Falls, Idaho, with the horses and the cows, and would spend the summer and fall on the Diamond "P" working the ranch and enjoying hunting for deer, elk, antelope and moose. Ocile had a deep love for the blue skies of Montana, the breeze on the top of her hill, and her menagerie of animals of all types. She never met a stranger and she gave so many children the 'first ride of their life' on horses like Rosie and Winnie. Her welcoming smile and her ability to match horse to rider delighted people from all over the world. Those memories of the 'nice lady with the horses' will live in the hearts of family, friends, and customers the world over. Her husband, Port, her daughter, Toni, and her son, Rex, survive Ocile, and nine grandchildren. Her sister, Marie Yeoman, lives in Missouri. A Celebration of Ocile's life will be held at the Diamond P Ranch on July 5, 2003, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. If you would like to offer your condolences fill in the form below. Name E-Mail Message [ Previous Obituary - Clifford High | Current Obituary | Next Obituary - Berniece Petersen ]