Mary Ellen Garcia

Mary Ellen Rodriguez Garcia, age 82, of Denver, Colorado (formerly of Gering) passed away on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Orchard Park in Centennial. A visitation will be Friday, July 14, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Christ the King Catholic Church with rosary at 6:00 PM. A mass of Christian burial will occur Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Christ the King with Father Mike McDonald Officiating. Her final resting place will be West Lawn Cemetery. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.geringchapel.com for the Garcia family.

Mary was born on October 17th, 1940 on the Ginrich farm south of Gering. When she was 2 years old, her family moved in town to Gering. She attended school at McKinley Elementary from kindergarten until 6th grade. She then attended Gering High School until 8th grade.

She married the love of her life, Richard M Garcia, August 22, 1955, and they were married for 38 years until he was called home to heaven. They had 11 children: 7 boys & 4 girls that brought them 35 grandchildren & 64 great-grandchildren & 6 great-great-grandchildren.

She worked as a cook for most of her adult life at places such as Cooper Kettle, where she was dishwasher/salad maker. That and Stable Club was where she really enjoyed to cook. She started as a salad maker/fry cook, going on to become head cook for the Elks Lodge and Moose Lodge. She also worked at the Gering Sugar Factory in the Tare Lab.

Her next job was the hardest and the most valuable: she watched her grandchildren. For that we are forever grateful. She loved to crochet, and she made baby blankets for her grandchildren. She loved to go camping, fishing, hunting, and dancing. In the later part of her life, she enjoyed arts/crafts and had a passion of coloring, as well as getting her hair & nails done on a regular basis.

Survivors include her children with their families:

Richard & Ramona Garcia with their children, Theresa & Justin Sharp, Samantha Billie, Richard III; grandchildren, Leticia, Carmelo Ozuna & Takiya San Miguel, JoeJoe, Morpheus, Devin, Dakotah, Isaac, Neveah, Rose, David, Violet, Angelica, Dre Ayden; and great-grandchildren, Aaliyah, Azarah, Aphrodite, Keihlany.

Johnny & Janet Garcia with their children, Jason, DeAnna Lopez, and LaResha; and their grandchildren, Noah, Isabel, Sophia, Zenovia, Johnny, and Michael.

LeRoy & Barbara Garcia with their daughter, Jacquline Garcia, and grandchildren Francisco and Jade.

Fred & Barbara Garcia with their children, Fred Jr, Sarah & Ryan Ladd, Kasondra & Justin Buse, Jordyn & Seth Vohland, and Alexis; and their grandchildren, Anthony, Zander, William,

Hunter, Jaxson, Daniel, Marly, and Otto.

Tina & Stanley Billie with their children, Stantina and Joshua; and their grandchildren, Isaiha, Adriana, Mauricio, Savannah, and Lilliana; and great grandchild, Merlina.

Elvis & Elva Garcia with their children, Abraham & Loran Garcia, and Tera; and their grandchildren, Sebastian, Joshua, and Julianna.

Sonia Palomo with her children, Frankie and Miles.

Tracy & Terry Regan and their children, Brad Jr & Lisa Benavides, and Brandon Benavides; and their grandchildren: Tillie, BradJay, Austin, Brad III, Aden, Anthony, Zane, Keyona, Dagon,

Alecia, Alex, Castelia; and their great-grandchild, Valencia.

Michael & JoAnne Garcia with their children, Mercedes & Jullian Fuentes, Steven Garcia & Anna Lange, Isaiha Garcia, Mykel & Noah Palomo, Austin Garcia & Andrea Lashley; and their grandchildren, Jayden, Chase, Garrett, Dillon, Quinnley, and Davian.

Thomas & Priscilla Garcia with their children, Caprice & Nick Sisneros, Marissa, Michaline, TJ, Isabella, Presley, Thessaly, Alexandra, and Austin; and their grandchildren, Josephina, Aaliyah,

Jayceon, and Hezekiah.

Regina & Mike Little Wolf with their children, Averi Little Wolf, and James & Ginna Little Wolf; and their grandchildren, Nathaniel, Nyalee, Noel, and Valerie.

Brothers Mark (Jennie) Rodriguez of Denver and Anthony Rodriguez of Maryland along with many nieces, nephews and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Garcia Sr.; son, Johnny Garcia; parents, Julio & Isabel Rodriguez; brother, Frank Rodriguez; sister, Felicitas Ramirez; grandson Miles Palomo & granddaughter Frankie Palomo; and great-grandsons, Isaac Ozuna and David Billie.