Lawrence Ortega

Lawrence A. Ortega, 76, a resident of Questa, New Mexico, passed away unexpectedly surrounded by his loving family on December 29, 2024. 

He is preceded in death by his grandson, Isaiah Ortega; his parents, Bernie and Dolores (Lola) Ortega; brothers, Joseph and George Ortega; in-laws, Tom, Esperanza, and Tommy Kittredge; brother-in-law Manuel Sanchez; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Lawrence was born to Bernie and Dolores Ortega on December 26, 1948. He grew up ranching with his grandpa and dad raising sheep and cattle. He graduated from Questa High School in 1967. He married Rosalie Kittredge in 1970 and later graduated from NMSU with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1972. His career started with the Carson National Forest, then the City of Dallas. When he returned to New Mexico he worked for Turney Sayre and Turney in Santa Fe. Lawrence started his own business in Taos, beginning with Ortega & Quintana Engineers and then Ortega, Maestas & Sanchez. He established LAO and Associates, which has been in business for 48 years. Some organizations and boards he was proud to serve on were the, N.M. Society of Professional Engineers, Questa School Board, Questa Village Council, Valle Vidal Association, Midnight Association and Knights of Columbus of Questa. He especially enjoyed being a coach and sponsor for the Questa boys’ sports teams, and also served as the Little League President. 

Lawrence is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rosalie Kittredge Ortega; children, Lorenzo (Berna) Ortega, Melissa (Jonathan) Rael, James (Michelle) Ortega, Jerome (Lori) Ortega, and Jesus (Heather) Ortega; grandsons, J.J. (Sydney), Elijah, and Joshua Rael; Lorenz, Mateo, Carlos and Sebastian Ortega; granddaughters, Gianna, Braylee and Zamaya Ortega, and great-granddaughter, Layla Georgia Rael; his sisters, Berna (Bob) Maestas, Theresa Sanchez, and Lisa (Steve) Archuleta; sisters-in-law, Ana Lucia Kittredge and Patsy Kittredge; plus many other loving nieces, nephews and their families. 

His grandsons; J.J., Eli, and Josh Rael; Lorenz, Mateo, Carlos and Sebastian Ortega, will serve as pallbearers for the family. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lawrence A. Ortega Scholarship fund. An account has been set up at the Questa Credit Union. PO Box 500 Questa, NM 87556. 

The rosary will be recited on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 12pm, followed by the Mass of Christian burial at 1pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Taos, with burial to follow at the San Pedro Cemetery in Questa. A meal will follow at the Questa VFW. 

The family of Lawrence A. Ortega has entrusted the care of their loved one to the caring staff of DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. www.devargastaos.com 1-866-657-4019