Joan Ortega (Torres), 83, of Rapid City, beloved wife of Jesus (Jesse) Ortega, passed away on February 21, 2019 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Joan was born on January 29, 1936 in Rapid City, SD to the late Pedro and Mary (Tapio) Torres.

Joan moved to Vallejo, CA where she worked and raised her children. Joan eventually moved to Denver, CO where she met and married Jesus (Jesse) Ortega on May 26, 1984.  She served as a volunteer for Volunteers of America and also worked as an administrative assistant with the Bureau of Indian Affairs/Environmental Protection Agency in Denver, CO until she retired in 2003 and returned to Rapid City.

Joan leaves  behind her beloved husband, Jesus; her four daughters: Debra Lizana (Cecil), Pass Christian, MS; Dianna Harper, Aurora, CO; Teresa Callahan, Denver, CO; and Sandra Baca, Rapid City; two brothers, Andres (Buzzy) Torres, Rapid City, and Richard (Sonny) Torres (Iola), Dannebrog, NE; 11 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

She  was preceded in death by her beloved sisters, Andrea (Jeannie) Martinez who passed away on October 30, 2015 and Deloris (Dee) Sletten who passed away on January 29, 2019, both of Rapid City.

A special thanks to all those who loving cared for her at the Cancer Care Institute, RCRH (Palliative Team and Outpatient Therapy), and Interim Health, and her family and friends for their love and support.

Visitation will be Monday, February 25, from 5 – 7 pm at Osheim and Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City; a Memorial Mass will be Wednesday, February 27, 10:00 am at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church.  There will be a potluck following the Mass at the Mother Butler Center.