INDEPENDENCE — Elvira Ortega, 85, of Independence, formerly of Cherryvale, died Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011, at her home.

She was born on Nov. 8, 1925, in Benedict to Julio and Maria Cortez. She attended school at Morehead.

She married Everett Ogle in 1946. He died in 1971. She married Jesse Ortega in 1978. She worked for Vallis-Wngroff in Cherryvale for 20 years before retiring.

Survivors include nine children, Richard Ortega, Marsha Humphries, Dale Ogle, all of Independence, Steve Ortega, David Ortega, both of Topeka, Allen Ogle of Parsons, Donnie Ogle of Omaha, Neb., John Ortega of Manassas, Va., and Steve Ballew of Cherryvale; 22 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Ortega was cremated. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Crystalbrook Church in Independence. The rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Thursday at Potts Chapel in Independence.

Memorials are suggested to Hannah’s House, a battered women’s shelter affiliated with Crystalbrook Church, or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and sent in care of the funeral home.