Leticia Simos Runtal

Mom was born on January 31, 1926 in the town of Cuyapo, Philippines to Segunda Mendoza and Daniel Simos. She grew up with 3 sisters and 3 brothers; Auntie Dading, Auntie Leona, Auntie Auring, Uncle Tommy, Uncle Virgilio, and Uncle Mario. They had 3 other siblings who died at a young age. As a child, Mom enjoyed watching her grandfather produce “Basi” in their basement, and chasing and collecting grasshoppers with her siblings.

In 1944, during WWII at a dance in Cuyapo , Mom met the man who would prove to be the love of her life, Henry Runtal who was enlisted in the US Army. Less than a month later, the two were married. Then in 1946, on her 20th birthday, she gave birth to their first child George. Helen, and Norma would soon follow. In 1954, Henry and Leticia moved their young family from Manila to the United States. Henry and Leticia continued to serve in the US Army and reared their children moving from Camp Hanford in Richland, Washington to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas and finally settled in Delano, California in 1963. In each new location, their family continued to grow with the births of Evelyn, Anthony, and Robert.

Eventually, both of Mom’s parents, and most of her brothers and sisters along with their families would join her in the United States also taking residence in Delano in the 60’s and 80’s. Gatherings at Mom and Dad’s’ home were always blest by the presence of family, cousins and friends especially at Christmas.

Mom was always a free spirit and would tell us exactly what was on her mind. She could be stubborn and resilient. She battled and beat valley fever, diverticulitis, and years of smoking. She had many hobbies throughout her life but most of all she enjoyed gardening, crocheting, sewing, cooking, playing cards, winning on the slot machines and fishing.

After 94 years, on September 10th, 2020 Mom was called to rest in heaven by our Lord Jesus Christ. There at the Gates, she was undoubtedly welcomed by her parents, her brothers and sisters who preceded her, and by the love of her life, our Dad – Henry. Not a day went by since he passed away, on October 11, 1992 at the age of 80 that she didn’t think about him and missed him dearly. There in heaven they will spend the rest of eternity together at last, holding hands, dancing, and fishing with Saint Peter.

We love you Mom, we love you Grandma, we love you Auntie, we love you Great Grandma, we love you Manang!.

Thank you for all the love you showed us and everything you did for us during your lifetime. Now enjoy your rewards of Paradise and rest in the loving arms of our Creator and Almighty Father in Heaven.

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Thank you for praying with us and for us, for thinking of us in our

time of sorrow and for all that you have done to console our hearts..

With sincerest gratitude,

From the children of Leticia Simos Runtal……

George, Helen, Norma, Evelyn, Anthony, and Robert