Ana Ortiz

Ana Ortiz passed away on September 22, 2026, at the age of 73. Since 2011, Ana had lived with a neurological illness that made life increasingly challenging. Through it all, however, she continued to show us her humor and remained very much herself.

Ana was the youngest daughter of Ewald and Herta Arndt. Ana's siblings included: Edward, Carlos, and Emma. Born in Argentina, Ana was raised speaking German at home while attending school in Argentina, where she spoke Spanish. At the age of twelve, Ana moved to the United States, where she faced the challenge of learning a third language while adjusting to a new country. By the time she completed high school in the United States, Ana was fluent in German, Spanish, and English.

As her parents grew older, Ana became an advocate for each of them, helping to manage their care until their deaths while continuing to manage her own business interests. Her devotion to her family was one of the many ways she demonstrated her strength and determination.

Ana was a woman of courage, creativity, wit, and determination. On Christmas Eve 1971, she went on a blind date with Humberto Ortiz. Just a few short months later, in April 1972, they were married. Ana and Humberto shared 54 years of marriage and had two children, Susana and Rafael. Their family grew to include son-in-law Robert Emerick Jr. and four grandchildren: Susana and Robert’s children, Bobby and Bella, and Rafael’s children, Gabi and Sofia. Ana was also a beloved aunt to her nieces and nephews.

Whenever Ana focused her attention on something, her emotions and energy followed. She could lose herself in the characters of a novel or in her favorite music. She had a love of fashion and a strong sense of personal style. Ana was known to blast Tina Turner while enjoying a drive with the top down in their red Trans Am—a memory that captures her energy, confidence, and spirit.

Ana also pursued her dreams as a business owner. She worked alongside Humberto in their shared business and later opened a business of her own in Long Grove called “Imported Artifacts.” Her creativity, independence, and determination were evident in the way she approached both her work and her life.

Ana will be remembered for her courage, her humor, her creativity, and the determination with which she approached the people and pursuits that mattered to her. Her life spanned countries, languages, businesses, and generations, and her presence will remain in the many memories she created with those who loved her.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, from 3:00–9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Both the visitation and funeral service will take place at Salerno’s Rosedale Chapels, 450 W. Lake St., Roselle, IL 60172.