Elida Hernandez Almanza, 91, was born in Mercedes, Texas, on November 15, 1934, and passed away on September 10, 2026. Born to Genaro Sanchez and Lucia (Zamora) Sanchez. Elida was one of eight children and grew up in Mercedes, Texas, where family and responsibility shaped the earliest years of her life. Called at a young age to help support her family and younger siblings, she left school early to pick produce in the fields of California in the spring and summer. When her family stopped the seasonal work in California, she proudly landed a job as a cashier, then bookkeeper, at Hanshaw’s Drug Store in Mercedes. Elida was extremely proud of her role at Hanshaw's and cherished the work she did there.
As a teen, Elida met Tony Almanza who was in the Navy at the time. Their friendship grew into a lasting courtship, and in1956 they were married. Soon after, they began their family and welcomed four daughters. They raised their girls in Mercedes before moving to Toledo, Ohio, where Elida worked at various organizations including The Guadalupe Center and Planned Parenthood. In 1974 the family moved back to Mercedes and Elida began working at the Mercedes Independent School District (MISD). She often talked about the great friendships she made while working there and how much she enjoyed the work.
In 1979 Elida decided to move to Michigan to join her daughters. With only a 6th grade education, she earned her GED and subsequently enrolled at Eastern Michigan University (EMU). One of her fondest memories was going to college at the same time as her two youngest daughters. Elida was at Eastern Michigan University, Dalia at Michigan State University, and Blanca at the University of Michigan. She loved when they traveled to see each other and study together on weekends. After her time at EMU, she became Executive Director at Michigan Economics for Human Development, (MEHD), a non-profit that served the Latino community. In 1984 she ran for a seat on the Holland Public Schools Board of Education.
After her time in Michigan, Elida decided to return to Mercedes to spend time with her mother. She often said enjoying this time with her mom was extremely special to her. They would sit on the porch swing, talk with the neighbors, drink her mom's very sweet, iced tea, have lunch together every day and play their favorite games such as “Yahtzee" and “Aggravation”.
While in Texas, she met Ruben Hernandez, a proud Marine. They were married on January 21,1994. They were happily married for 28 years. They both loved family, friendships and travel. They hosted many gatherings and enjoyed taking friends to South Padre Island for seafood and drinks at Claytons on the beach. Some of their travel highlights included trips to Washington DC, New York City, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cancun, and the list goes on. Two of Elida's most memorable trips were her trip to Rome with her sisters where she was able to shake the hand of Pope John Paul II. She heard him sing her favorite hymn, “Pescador de Hombres (Fisher of Men), in Spanish! Her second trip of a lifetime was when she visited the Holy Land in 2006. Central to Elida’s life was her family and her faith. She was a loving grandmother and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She was a devout Catholic and volunteered at her church. She participated in religious retreats and became a Guadalupana at St. Francis de Sales Church in Holland. Elida spent her final years in Holland with her daughter Rose. When Elida moved to Michigan with Rose, it allowed Diana who lived in Chicago to see and spend more time with her mother. Diana was able to spend time with her mom 3 weeks before she passed away in 2024.
She was known as a woman of strength, courage, style and spirit—forthright and loyal, quick in wit and generous in love. Many will remember her friendship and their personal connection. Her loss will be felt by all who loved her, and by the many whose lives were made better through her example.
Elida was preceded in death by her father, Genaro Sanchez; her mother, Lucia (Zamora) Sanchez; her brothers, Gilbert Sanchez and Joe Sanchez; her sisters, Lydia De Hoyos, Maria Fletcher, and Janie Sanchez Solano; and her daughter, Diana Almanza.
Elida is survived by her sister, Dr. Dora Dominguez; her brother, Tony Sanchez; her daughters, Rose Hernandez, Dalia (Ron) Almanza Smith, and Blanca (Becky Ross) Almanza; her grandchildren, Aaron Hernandez, Julian Hernandez, Philip Speer, Anna Edfors Van Oss, and Kirsten Edfors; her great-grandchildren, Santi Hernandez, Beni Hernandez, Maite Hernandez, Lucia Speer, and Ella Speer; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Service will be held at Our Lady of the Lake, 480 152nd Ave, Holland, Michigan 49424, on October 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM visitation will be 1 hour prior.
