Olivia Irma Ortiz, 85, of Runge, Texas, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born on April 13, 1941, in Runge to the late Jose and Viviana Garces Villanueva, Irma lived a life rooted in faith, family, service, and community. On November 15, 1958 she married, Miguel “Mike” Ortiz, in Ropesville, Texas. Together they built a life of hard work and devotion to their family. Irma retired from Levelland ISD as a teacher, where she was deeply committed to her students and was recognized with state awards for recruiting. Her heart for service extended beyond the classroom, and she proudly served as City Commissioner of Runge from 2003 to 2007. Irma will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a faithful member of Calvary Family Praise Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jose and Viviana Garces Villanueva; her husband, Miguel “Mike” Ortiz; and her brothers, Alejandro Villanueva, Joe Villanueva, Jr., and Armando Villanueva.
Irma is survived by her loving children, Susan (Mike) Jackson of Round Rock, Texas, Cynthia (Philip) Gonzales of Katy, Texas, and Mike Ortiz of Runge, Texas; her grandchildren, Andrew (Christina) Ramirez of Cypress, Texas, Yvette Ramirez (Jordan Boren) of Taylor, Texas, Vanessa (Michael) Ziegler of San Antonio, Texas, Rhealeigh (Dustin) Shaffer of Lubbock, Texas, Jaclyn (Alex) Beach of League City, Texas, Jessica (Taylor) Cooper of Katy, Texas, Michael Allen (Kaylea) Ortiz of Lubbock, Texas, Erin (Todd) Peters of Mabank, Texas, Patrick (Tina) Jackson of Minnesota, and Samantha Jackson of Round Rock, Texas; her great-grandchildren, Jaxon Boren, Davin Shaffer, Kennedy Shaffer, Liam Jackson, Brielle Jackson, Mason Ramirez, Evelyn Beach, Dax Cooper, Mia Ramirez, Leland Beach, Sky Cooper, Vivian Boren, Zoanna Ziegler, and Saige Ortiz; as well as her brothers, Reymundo Villanueva and Mark (Becky) Villanueva, both of Runge, Texas, her sister, Sylvia Cater of Mississippi, her sister-in-law, Terry Villanueva of Victoria, Texas, along with many extended family members and friends.
Irma’s greatest legacy was the love she shared with her family. Her kindness, strength, and unwavering devotion will continue to live on through all those who knew and loved her. Though she will be deeply missed, her memory will forever remain in the hearts of her family and friends. Those we love never truly leave us. They live on in the memories we cherish, the lessons they taught us, and the love they gave us throughout our lives.
Funeral Services will be held on July 3, 2026, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Calvary Family Praise Church, 323 E. Live Oak St., Kenedy, Texas 78119.
