Tonita Gonzales

Tonita grew up in Clayton, New Mexico. She moved to Weld County as a young lady. She married Benito Gonzales on August 3, 1925 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. They were united in marriage by Father Raymond P. Hickey. She and her husband were charter members of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. After their marriage they owned a farm near LaSalle where they grew watermelons, cucumber and pumpkins for seeds.

Tonita was a wonderful homemaker. She taught her children to cook and can. She loved to dance with her husband and taught her children how to dance. She will be remembered for establishing a legacy for her family.

Tonita is survived by a daughter Nora Eggert (William) of Wagon Mound, New Mexico; two sons Ben Gonzales (Helen) and George Gonzales (Phyllis) all of San Jose, California; 36 grandchildren; 86 great-grandchildren; 60 great-great-grandchildren; and 65 great-great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Benito in January 1980; a daughter Frances Esquibel in July 2006, two sons Ted Gonzales on Mother’s Day May 1998 and James Gonzales in March 2011; her parents and sisters and brothers.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 26 with Recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Stoddard Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 27 at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. Interment Sunset Memorial Gardens.