Malcolm Frantz Cortner (2025)
CORTNER, GOESER, GOSSEN, HANNA, HEARTE, HEILMAN, JONES, LORETH, MIGNOSA, POPMA, ROBLEY, WRIGHT
Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 3/5/2025 at 10:29:18
Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home
Winterset, IowaJanuary 26, 1983 — March 2, 2025
Malcolm Frantz Cortner, 42, passed away peacefully at his home on March 2, 2025, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.
Malcolm was born on January 26, 1983 to Lou (Heilman) and Malcolm K. Cortner in Bayside, Texas. He grew up in Sloan, Iowa and was a 2001 graduate of Westwood Community School. He moved to Oklahoma where he went to Tulsa Welding School and worked as a welder for a short time. He returned to Iowa and attended Avera McKennan School of EMS where he received his degree as a paramedic in 2004.
Malcolm worked as a paramedic for Siouxland Paramedics and Buena Vista Regional Medical Center for several years. In 2006, he was hired as a full-time paramedic with the City of West Des Moines. He served central Iowa for 15 years as a paramedic for WDM EMS, which also included time with LifeFlight and MercyOne from 2009-2012. His desire to serve others continued when he was hired by the City of Des Moines Fire Department in January 2021. He was a member of the 97th DMFD recruit class, graduating in April 2022.
Malcolm enjoyed the new challenges of working as a firefighter while continuing to use his paramedic skill set and caring for others in need. His compassion and desire to help others even included saving a dog named “George.” The firefighters provided a brotherhood that permeated Malcolm’s life both on and off shift. The bond only grew stronger after his cancer diagnosis in 2023. The DMFD was a steadfast support during his treatments, and most recently, when he was admitted to hospice.
While working as a paramedic for LifeFlight, Malcolm met the love of his life, Sheena (Wright). They were married on August 20, 2011 and God blessed them with three beautiful children: Shealey (12), Madelyn (10), and Samuel (7). Malcolm was thoughtful and intentional in everything he did and guided his family with strength, knowledge, dedication, and sacrifice. He shared a special connection with each of his children: Shealey, his running partner; Madelyn, his spirited soccer player; and Samuel, his trusted sidekick no matter the project or temperature. It didn’t matter if his children were showing chickens in 4H, wanting to fish or hunt, or play an intense game of Dutch Blitz; Malcolm loved being their daddy. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, running and the greatest joy was in doing these activities alongside his family and friends.
Malcolm was a servant in many facets of life, including serving on the Winterset School Board since 2022, Knights of Columbus, IAFF Local 4, and volunteering with local wildlife habitat groups. He will be remembered for his deep love, determination, smile, eloquent speech, wit, and courage. Malcolm was a great example of someone living for Christ here on Earth. To know Malcolm was to know the selfless love of our Lord and Savior.
Malcolm is survived by his wife, Sheena, and their children: Shealey, Madelyn, and Samuel; mother, Lou Cortner; father, Malcolm K. Cortner; sisters: Amber Mignosa and Lia Hearte (Demetrius); father and mother-in-law, Wray & Rachel Wright; and the “out-laws”: Heather Loreth, Wray & Bobbi Jo Wright, Sheriffa & Darrin Jones, Heath & Amanda Wright, Shannon & Jerik Gossen, Nolan & Lauren Wright, Alexis & Ryan Goeser, Buckley & Halli Wright; and his nieces and nephews: Emma, Michael, Wesley, Lennon, Hunter, Campbell, Ashley, Wray C.R., Olivia, Gavin, Jules, Sierra, Axel, Charli, Beck, Miles, Carver, Leo, and Ayla.
Malcolm was preceded in death by his sister Megan; grandparents Francis and Pauline Heilman, grandmothers Louise Hanna and Delores Popma; grandfather Alvin Cortner; uncles George, Steve, and David Heilman; aunt Helen Robley; and brother-in-law Cory Loreth.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to Compete For A Cure competebraincancer.com or Thrive Brain Cancer thrivebraincancer.com, nonprofits dedicated to brain cancer research, and supporting families affected by this disease
Online condolences may be shared at caldwellparrish.com
Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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