Mary O. Ortiz, age 83 of Kenosha, passed away on Monday, May 21, 2018 at Froedtert South-St Catherine’s Medical Center surrounded by her loving family.

Born on August 28, 1934 in Chicago, she was the daughter of the late Robert Schmitz and the late Mary (Harding) Bennett.  She attended local schools and was a graduate of Kenosha High School.

On September 27, 1952 she married Peter Ortiz at St. James Catholic Church. They’ve been blessed with 65 years together.

She was employed as a switchboard operator for many years with Wisconsin Bell Telephone Company and later with Kenosha Hospital.

Mary loved her family, grandchildren, and her grand dogs. She enjoyed reading, especially the Bible. With her love of food, it was typical for her to travel distances for a great meal; to cook and bake for others. In her spare time she liked to play cards and go to the casino.

Mary will always be remembered by her loving husband, Peter; her children, Karen (Andrew) Janota, Laura (Curt) DeBruin, Ann (Mark) Schnuck and Mary (Mike) LeRoy; her grandchildren, Lisa (James) Lusiak, Greggory (Jessica) Burt, Sarah (Victor) Lebron, Stefanie (Jack) Rhoades, Jason (Katelyn) DeBruin, Eric (Krista Wolfe) De Bruin, Heather (Dikeomel) Young, Kelly (Joe) Scruggs, Ryan (Renee) Schnuck, Michael (Erin Heinz) LeRoy, Bradley LeRoy, Marc (Kaitlain) LeRoy and Camren Owens; 28 great grandchildren; her sisters, Barbara Cunningham, Geraldine Smith and Carolee (Ken) Strathman and many nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Elaine Gollnick.

Mary’s family would like to extend their gratitude to the Kenosha Police Department and to the hospital ER and ICU nurses and physicians; especially Dr. Anna Silenzi and Dr. Mini Sivadasan.

Service Info

Funeral Services honoring Mary’s life will be held on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home, 3720 39th Avenue, Kenosha, WI. Interment will take place in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park.