Hortencia C. Ortega, 90, of Lompoc, CA went home to be with the Lord at 12;15 pm Thursday, February 20, 2014 with her family present under the care of Hospice in Lompoc, California.

She was born May 30, 1923 to Ramon and Enriqueta (Ainza) Carranza in Cortero, Arizona. She moved to Tucson, Arizona as a child, went to school up to 7th grade and had to quit to work in the cotton fields. As she got in her teens, she worked in homes, later at a linen service. Then during World War II, while men were at war, she landed a job at Davis Mt. Air Force Base in Arizona working on airplanes as a riveter. She loved flowers, birds, crocheting, dancing and cooking delicious meals.

Hortencia married Jesus L. Ortega March 5, 1944 while active in the U S Army. To this union, five children were born.

Hortencia is survived by her son, Jess Ortega of Lompoc, Genny (Larry) Cooper of Ottumwa, IA; Phil (Maria) Ortega of Lompoc; Yolanda (Ken) Day of Fountain, CO and Conrad (Anna) Ortega of Sandstone, MN. She has seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Hortencia was preceded in death by her parents and her husband in 1982. She had ten siblings, 5 which are still living and the oldest with be 94 this year.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 27, 2014 from 2-6 pm at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary Chapel. Funeral services will be on Friday, February 28, 2014 at 11am at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dialysis and Hospice of Lompoc, CA.