Ester Ortega, 62, of Rio Hondo, TX, peacefully passed away on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, TX. She was preceded in death by her father, Alberto Gonzales Sr. and her mother, Santos St. Clair. Ester is survived by her beloved husband of 46 years, Eleno Ortega Sr.; five loving children: Dora L. (Pedro) Vargas of Rio Hondo, TX, Cris (George) Atkinson of Rio Hondo, TX, Eleno Ortega Jr. of Rio Hondo, TX, Irma (Antonio) Ortega of Kilgore, TX, and Joseph (Cindy) Ortega of Rio Hondo, TX; 20 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Alberto (Dina) Gonzales Jr. of Dalhart, TX and Enrique (Sylvia) Gonzales of Harlingen, TX; one sister, Oralia Vega of Kilgore, TX; several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, and many friends. A celebration memorial viewing service for Ester will be held on Friday, February 22, 2013 from 12 PM to 9 PM, with a holy rosary at 7 PM, at The Original Downtown Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito, Texas. You may sign the online guestbook and send words of comfort, flowers, or sympathy cards to the family of Ester Ortega at: www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.