Eufelia Ortega, 102

May 05, 1919 – August 22, 2021

Eufelia Ortega passed in the early minutes of August 22, 2021, in the loving arms of family members. She crossed over peacefully at the age of 102 years. She was born in Trujillo, New Mexico, May 5, 1919 to Eladio Martinez and Juanita Sanchez, who lived, farmed, and ranched in Las Vegas, NM, and Trujillo, NM farming communities. She grew up with seven other siblings, two sisters and five brothers; Fidelia, Fieno, Manuel, Margarito, Mary, Ramon, and Andres, all who preceded her in death.

ln our records lies a picture of this young girl, frozen in time, atop a beautiful horse. Her eyes stood still for the camera, but one could tell her mind was restless, wanting to race across the fields on horseback. She eventually gave up those childhood ways to marry her husband Rafael Ortega and together they raised their own family of six, Mary Ann, Marcia, Thomas (Jeanine), Margaret (Dave Ferko), Rita (Mike Antonioli), Samuel (Debbie), and Dee Dee (John) Thurmond. Their adventures led them through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and into Montana, living in Anaconda and Butte and finally retiring north of Whitehall, MT. The golden years consisted of sunrises over the Jefferson River Valley, easy living, and sunsets over the Highlands.

But before that, as a stay at home mother, this gentle giant not quite live feet tall, did all she could to keep us fed, clothed, and loved. A mother's love is the purest of all love and growing up on Granite Street was pretty amazing knowing that Mother was famous for her tortillas that also fed many friends in the neighborhood. She later went to work at Harrington's Cafe, to make ends meet, and then retired. After the death of her husband in November of 2003 she came back to Butte to live with family members on Dewey Street. She was loved and cared for by family and care workers. She lived a good life.

She was also preceded in death by her daughter Mary Ann, and Mary Ann's husband, Keith Spangler. She loved all of her children and treasured all of her great and great-great grandchildren. Besides her surviving sons and daughters and their spouses, Eufelia also leaves behind grandchildren, Merci Leggitt, Elaine Sandoval, Alicia Bunch, Ray Lucero, David and Kiel Ferko; Calvin, Matthew, Greg and Luke Antonioli; and Nathan, Sam, and Brian Ortega; 29 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; and numerouc nieces and nephews, which include Josie Fabre and her daughter Emma

The loss of this great matriarch has left a great void in our lives, but she lives on in memories passed on to the younger ones, and forever in our hearts and souls. She was the best of us

.

"You did your best, now Mother rest".

Also l heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall l send, and who will go for us'? Then said l, here am l, send me.

Isaiah 6:8

The family wishes to thank 406 Quality Home Care, and Dannielle and Amanda, for their professionalism and loving care they gave to our mom. She was the happiest when they were caring for her.

Funeral Services will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Wednesday in the Duggan Dolan Mortuary Chapel. Interment will follow in Mount Mariah Cemetery.