Bernice Ortega (June 8, 1931 – May 11, 2021)

Bernice Ortega, 89, died Tuesday May 11, 2021 in the Castle Rock Mission in Green River, Wyoming. She lived in Green River for a long time and was formerly a Colorado resident.

She was born on June 8, 1931 in Antonito, Colorado. the daughter of Jose T. Vigil and Isabel Lopez. Ms. Ortega attended schools in Alamosa, Colorado.

She married Aron Ortega on June 20, 1946 in Green River, Wyoming, and he preceded her to her death on December 11, 2014 in Green River. Ms. Ortega was Stauffer Chemical’s custodian for twenty years until she retired in 1990.

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She was a member of the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, the Church of Guadalupanos, the VFW and the Rolling Green Country Club. Ms. Ortega’s interests included going to casinos, camping, playing cards, golfing, dancing, volunteering, attending the fair and attending her grandchildren’s events. She loved to cook and always said, “Don’t leave my house hungry.”

The survivors include two daughters, Carmen Gaensslen and husband Patrick SDDS of Green River, Wyoming; Grace Ortega Walker of Aurora, Colorado; seven sons, Dennis Ortega and wife Laurie of Green River, Wyoming; David Ortega and wife Mary of Mesa, Arizona; Leonard Ortega and Mrs. Kay of Nephi, Utah; Phillip Ortega and wife Diane of Vancouver, Washington; Chris Ortega and wife Cheryl of Green River, Wyoming; Danny Ortega of Rock Springs, Wyoming; Steven Ortega and Mrs. Sacha of San Francisco, California; a sister, Rose Ann Muniz of Rock Springs, Wyoming; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, her husband, a daughter, Sandra Ortega, had preceded her death. a brother, Joe “Ross” Vigil, and three sisters, Delia Maria Vasquez; Kay Camille Brothers; Margaret Gonzales.

A Christian burial mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 900 Hitching Post Drive, Green River, Wyoming. A vigil with a rosary will be recited in the church on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. The funeral will take place in Riverview Cemetery.

The family respectfully requests donations in Bernice’s memory of the Immaculate Conception Church, 900 Hitching Post Drive, Green River, Wyoming 82935.

Condolences can be left at www.vasefuneralhomes.com.