Fred Ortega

Fred Ortega, age 64, of Ogallala, NE, passed away, Thursday, February 13, 2020 at the Sutherland Care Center in Sutherland, NE.

Fred was born July 20, 1955 in San Jose, California to Guadalupe and Mary (Corona) Ortega.

He lived there for several years until the family moved to Friona, Texas. They lived there for ten years, before moving to Holyoke, CO where they were seasonal migrant workers. 

Fred moved to Scottsbluff in 1987 and received his GED. He moved to North Platte shortly after and worked as a janitor in restaurants. 

Fred loved listening to music, played the drums and enjoyed drawing and Martial Arts. His favorite holidays were Halloween and Easter.   

He was preceded in death by his parents; 2  sisters, Irma Zatarain and Christina Ortega; 1 brother, Frank Estrada; 1 sister-in-law, Sandra Estrada; 1 brother-in-law, Hugo Salinas; and 3 nephews, Hector Ortega, Irene Estrada and Jesse Mendoza. 

Fred is survived by 5 sisters; Lupe Salina, of Pico Rivera, CA; Nellie (Victor) Lozoya, of Brule, NE; Rocio Ortega; Magdelena Ortega, both of Amarillo, TX; Catalina Ortega, of Friona, TX; 5 brothers; Steve Estrada, of Big Springs, NE; Ignacio (Anita) Estrada, of Hereford, TX; Ismael Ortega, of North Platte, NE; Louis Sr. (JoAnn) Ortega; Joe (Carol) Ortega, all of Big Springs; and 47 nieces and nephews.  

Visitation will be, Sunday, February 16, 2020 in the Draucker Funeral Home Chapel from 2:00 p.m. until time of rosary. 

A rosary will be recited, Sunday, February 16, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. in the Draucker Funeral Home Chapel. 

A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held, Monday, February 17, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Luke's Catholic Church with Father Bryan Ernest officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Big Springs Cemetery in Big Springs, NE. 

Memorials are suggested to the St. Luke's Catholic Church Choir. 

Online condolences may be left by clicking the Share a Memory or the Tribute Wall Button. Both services will be live streamed.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala has been entrusted with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.