Obituary of Monica Richmann Ortega

Monica Richmann Ortega passed away peacefully at home in Albuquerque, New Mexico on January 8th, 2023. Monica was born October 15th, 1941, in Koln, Germany. Monica’s father Wilhelm (William), mother Anna (Annie), older brother, Bernhard and Monica survived World War II and immigrated to the United States in 1951. They initially settled in Sheboygan, Wisconsin until her father got an architectural job in Albuquerque, NM. In Albuquerque, Monica attended Highland High School, graduating in 1961. Monica first dated Gene (Ernest) Ortega in high school, and they married in 1963. They had a wonderful 59-year marriage working together and traveling to Germany several times to visit her aunt Marlene, as well as their favorite places including Koln, Berlin, Munich, Italy, Spain, and Acapulco. After working for a short time with an insurance company, Monica took a position with Mountain Bell Telephone Company, in the construction department. After Monica’s daughter, Jeannine started school at Osuna Elementary, Monica took a leave of absence from Mountain Bell. About six years later she worked with Architect Robert Torres for approximately 12 years. She then went to work for KM Construction owned and operated by Barbara and Norman Muller for approximately 12 years. Monica than took over the accounting and bookkeeping for Rural Housing Inc. a non-profit managed and administered by her husband, Gene Ortega. Monica was preceded in death by her father William, mother Annie, brother Bernhard, and daughter Jeannine Arnold. She is survived by her husband Gene Ortega, sister Maryann Richmann, her niece Renee Arner, nephews William and Dominic Richmann, grandson Joshua Arnold (wife Debra Arnold), great grandchildren Marlena Arnold and Edwin Opland.

The Ortega, Arnold, and Richmann family want to thank all the Presbyterian Hospice personnel who assisted the family with Monica’s care at home.

In lieu of flowers Monica would like to have individuals donate to her favorite charitable organization the St. Jude Hospital and Research Center for Children.

Services will be held January 28th, 2023, at Riverside Funeral Home 225 San Mateo NE, Alb, NM 87108 at 10am to 12pm. Reception will follow at El Patron 10551 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 87111 from 12:45pm to 3:45pm.