Ana Julia Torres Ortegon

We celebrate the life of Ana Julia Torres Ortegon, who passed peacefully on December 25, 2025, at the age of 90, surrounded by her loving family. Julia, as she preferred to be called, was born on December 24, 1935, in Suaza, Huila, Colombia, South America, a place that shaped her identity and always remained close to her heart.

Julia and the love of her life, Eduardo Ortegon, Sr., lifelong love story is unlike any other. Julia and Eduardo met while they were both attempting to sneak a peek at a band they loved, looking through a window outside. Eduardo was kneeling in front of her, and Julia, eager to also see, kept pushing him from behind. He finally turned around, met her gaze, and in that simple moment sparked a love that lasted over seventy years.

Julia and Eduardo started their life together in 1951, in Colombia, South America. Together, they built a life grounded in love, faith, perseverance, and a deep devotion to family. To give their children a better life, Eduardo and Julia decided to move to the USA, a process that took several years. It began in 1970, when Eduardo first moved to Jamestown, and concluded in 1975, when the whole family was able to join him permanently. They overcame significant struggles so that their children could have a brighter future. They resided in Jamestown, North Dakota, until 2021, when they relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to live with their oldest son, Eduardo Ortegon, Jr.

Julia devoted 28 years of service to the North Dakota State Hospital, where her strong work ethic and dedication were evident to all who knew her. She believed deeply in the value of hard work and proudly passed those values on to her children and grandchildren, always encouraging them to strive for their best.

When Julia was not working, she found joy in cooking traditional Colombian meals, dancing to Colombian music, and sharing laughter around the table. She especially loved watching World Cup soccer (futbol) with Eduardo, enthusiastically cheering for Colombia and the United States. Christmas was her favorite time of year, marked by big family meals, Colombian music, and togetherness.

As a devoted mother of seven, she treasured time spent with her children, and as her family grew, she took great joy in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Family and faith were the foundation of her life, guiding her with quiet strength, generosity, and unwavering love.

She will be remembered for her kindness, resilience, and unwavering devotion to those she loved. Her legacy lives on in the family she nurtured and the values she instilled.

She was the dedicated daughter of the late Micaelina Torres and the loyal sister of the late Lucrecia Payan, Ligia Torres, and Salvador Torres.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 74 years, Eduardo Ortegon Sr., of Minneapolis, MN; her children: Maria (Cecil Jr.) Roth of Jamestown, ND; Nora (late Richard) Holy of North Royalton, OH; Eduardo Ortegon Jr. (Tammy) of Minneapolis, MN; Sonia (late Kirk) Chapin of Garland, TX; Nancy (Owen) Johnson of Barneveld, WI; Fredy Ortegon (Marcia) of Northlake, TX; and Edgar Ortegon (Melissa) of Papillion, NE.

She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren: Katherine Roth; Cecil III (Ashley) Roth; Mitchell (Shweta) Roth; Anthony Roth; Ryan (Ahsiya) Holy; Annie (Pete) Neelon; Edoardo (Elizabeth) Ortegon; Julian Ortegon; Koby Chapin; Kassity (Jake) Senf; Whitney (John) Healy; Jamel Seals; Christa (Michael) Cole; Lenin Ortegon, Elkin Ortegon and Oswin Ortegon.

Julia was blessed with great-grandchildren: Maxwell Roth, Harper Roth, Noah Neelon, Aya Holy, Ellie Senf, Avery Senf, Theodore Healy, Sophia Healy, Ryan Healy, Charlotte Cole, and Jackson Cole.

She was a loving aunt and great-aunt to many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Health Partners Frauenshuh Cancer Center c/o Park Nicollet Foundation, 6500 Excelsior Boulevard, St.Louis Park, MN 55426 or online at Parknicollet.com/givetofcc.

Mass of Christian Burial: 2:30 pm, Friday, January 9th, 2026, at St. James Basilica, Jamestown, ND, with Father Timothy Kraemer officiating.

Prayer Service: Eddy Funeral Home at 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 8th, 2026.

Visitation: Family Receiving Guests on Thursday, January 8th, 2026, 6 pm-7 pm at Eddy Funeral Home.

Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Jamestown, ND, with lunch to follow at the church.