Marshell Ortega

In loving memory of Marshell Daniel Ortega, 68, who passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 16, 2021. He was born February 10, 1953, in Elko, Nevada, to the late Marcelino and Evelyn Ortega. He married his beautiful wife, Kathy Jean Johnson, on December 2, 1972, and lived in Denver, Colorado, where they raised their three children, Jeremy Ortega, Seth Ortega, and Tara Causby. He was dedicated to his work as a Construction Estimator and felt a great deal of love and respect for the men and women he worked for and with.

Marshell and his family moved to Denver when he was 2 years old, this is when a family study was started with the Jehovah Witnesses. He remembered the first answer he gave, "Jehovah", and it made him so happy. He was baptized in 1970, Colorado Springs, as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. He loved talking to people about his God, Jehovah, and enjoyed relating his experiences in service. He, like his father Marcelino and his grandmother Faye, was a storyteller and made so many things come to life! Marshell always had a positive spiritual outlook and was unwaveringly looking forward to seeing his family and friends in the paradise where sickness and death would be a thing of the past.

Marshell was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He loved his children greatly and everything he did in his life revolved around his family and his faith. His love for his children was evident as he never failed to show up for his kids, even after they grew up, Marshell did anything he could to ensure his children had the help and guidance that they needed. He built strong and lasting friendships with almost anyone he met. He was known for bringing people together, whether it was to play sports or a made-up game like waffle the quaffle, to keep the kids entertained on our famed camping trips. It was expected that Marshell would get the kids and adults involved in competitive and entertaining games such as: red light / green light, hopscotch, tug-o-war, hide and go seek, and the most epic campfire games that often resulted in people covered in coal marks. It never failed though that Marshell and some of the other "greats" walked away as victors which was shown by the lack of coal streaks on their faces. Even collecting wood for our campfires was somehow turned into a fun adventure! Speaking on behalf of my brothers and myself (Tara), our dad gave us an amazing childhood, filled with adventures, laughter, and most of all, love. Our dad was compassionate, not shy to show his emotions, strong, determined, full of integrity and passion for life. Dad, you will be severely missed but never forgotten! With all our hearts, we love you dad.

A service will be held for Marshell Ortega on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at 5:00pm. This service will be done via Zoom. If you are interested in attending his memorial service, please email marshellortega1953@gmail.com and we will respond with the zoom meeting information. Pictures and music will be played from 5:00 – 5:13 followed by a memorial service to be given by Brother Bryan Taft of the Valverde Congregation. We invite everyone to stay on the zoom call after the service to listen to and perhaps share your own story or memory of our beloved father, Marshell Ortega.

Marshell was preceded in death by his parents, Marcelino and Evelyn Ortega; father-in-law Arthur Johnson, and his sister Patricia Ortega. He was survived by his wife Kathy Ortega; his children, Jeremy Ortega, Seth Ortega, and Tara (Matthew) Causby; his sisters Marcella Archuleta and Rosanna Reyes; his mother-in-law Betty Johnson; his brother and sister-in-laws, Martin Archuleta, Terri (Steve) Mikita, and Steve (Ruth) Johnson. In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren, Tory Ortega (Patrick Gallegos), Marcello Ortega, Sky Ortega, Aspen Causby, and Sequoia Causby; his nieces and nephews, Lisa Ortega, Ursula Flores, Cynthia (Mike) Ramsdell, Favian Ortega, Marty Archuleta, and additional extended family.