Maria Sotelo de Rangel

Un velorio para Maria se realizará el lunes, marzo 4, 2024 desde la(s) 8:00 a. m. hasta la(s) 10:00 a. m., 24145 Barton Road, Loma Linda, California 92354. Un servicio se llevará a cabo el lunes, marzo 4, 2024 desde la(s) 10:00 a. m. hasta la(s) 11:00 a. m., 24145 Barton Road, Loma Linda, California 92354. Un(a) sepelio se llevará a cabo el lunes, marzo 4, 2024 desde la(s) 11:30 a. m. hasta la(s) 12:00 p. m. en Montecito Memorial Park, 3520 E Washington St, Colton, California 92324.

Maria Sotelo (82) was born on 5/16/1941 to Marcelino and Francisca Sotelo in Penjamo, Guanajuato, Mexico. Maria lived in a small town in Mexico where everyone knew one another. She was one of ten children: six boys and four girls. She is survived by her husband of fifty-two years, Leopoldo, two sons, Roberto and Ricardo, one Daughter-in-Law, Marlene, and three Grandsons, Ricardo (Ricky)., Roberto (Bobby), and Isaac.

As a small child living in Mexico, she would love to help her mother. As the oldest girl in the family, she learned to cook, sew, and crochet. Maria was loving and caring, with a big heart caring for others. In Mexico, she attended an all-girls school and became friends with others. When people met her, they felt her warmth and caring nature. Maria grew to love the art of sewing, leading her to attend school and train to become a seamstress. While there, she developed an interest in training to become a Nurse. She cared for her sick grandmother, Maria Zaragoza, with that training, for several years.

Her older brother later asked Maria to come to the United States to help with his children. She arrived in America in 1966 at the age of 25. She lived with her older brother Elias, his wife Elena, and two children, Sandra and newborn Edwardo. Maria shared a room with the children, teaching them about prayer and believing in GOD. Maria treasured her family interactions. She loved to dance and spend time with her family. She often would go out dancing with her friends Eva Castillo and Martha.

In 1968, she met her soon-to-be husband, Leopoldo, at the school where they attended. They married on 8/20/1971 and settled in Los Angeles. On the weekends, they would host family gatherings to maintain close family bonds. Maria and Leopoldo grew their family by welcoming Roberto Carlos in 1974 and Ricardo in 1976. With a growing family, Leopoldo would work during the day, and Maria would work at night. This allowed Maria to be active with her children and attend school functions. She showed her love for food. Maria was famous for making her Pozole, Frijoles, and any other Mexican food people requested, especially celebrating birthdays. She often communicated with her family in Mexico by writing letters and sending money.

Maria was faithful, attending Catholic Church services regularly. She would celebrate all church holidays and decorate her house. Every Christmas, she would direct Leopoldo to set up the Nascimento (Nativity scene) and have a special dinner to place the baby Jesus in his chair with another dinner to place the baby Jesus back in the hutch. Faith was a priority in her life, and following traditions gave her joy.

As Maria and Leopoldo grew older, they decided to move to Ontario in 1993. They witnessed their sons growing into men. She finally got the daughter in her daughter-in-law (Marlene) in 2006. Maria became a grandmother twice in 2009 with the arrival of Ricky and Bobby. In 2011, her final grandson Isaac arrived. She found joy in taking care of her grandchildren. While their parents worked, Maria and Leopoldo spent every day with their grandsons until they started attending elementary school. Often, she would go to school functions to support her beloved grandsons. She would spoil her “babies” by giving them anything they would ask for within reason. Even though Ricky refused to speak Spanish with her, they could communicate. The love for her family was always unconditional. Maria was called to join GOD on February 12, 2024.