Steluta Ana Muntean

Steluta Ana Muntean, lovingly known as Stela, Mom, Grandma, and Baka, went home to be with the Lord on July 4, 2026, at the age of 80. She passed peacefully at her home in Costa Mesa, California, surrounded by the love of her family.

Steluta was born in Sighișoara, Romania, where she completed high school and went on to earn a three-year trade certification in men's tailoring. In 1981, she and her beloved husband, Ioan (John) Muntean, immigrated to the United States with their four children, seeking a new life filled with opportunity and faith.

Family was the greatest joy of Steluta's life. She had a special love for babies and treasured every season of watching her family grow. She delighted in caring for her grandchildren when they were young and later found the same joy in her great-grandchildren. She was abundantly blessed with nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, each of whom held a special place in her heart.

Her faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of her life. It was steadfast, unwavering, and evident in the way she lived each day. She faithfully spent time reading God's Word, and if she was ever unable to attend church, she made sure to watch the service on her phone. She even developed a love for technology—especially once she mastered scrolling—and enjoyed listening to sermons from various pastors and worshiping through gospel music.

Steluta also found great joy in God's creation. Her love of flowers and gardening was well known to everyone who knew her. She faithfully tended her garden each day, watering her vegetables and often talking about how happy they were. It was one of the many simple ways she expressed her gratitude for God's blessings.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years, Ioan (John) Muntean, who passed away in June 2020.

She is lovingly survived by her four children: Ovidiu, Liviu, Tabita, and Daniel; her nine grandchildren: Christina, Timothy, Brianna, Danielle, Karly, Emily, Elijah, Luke, and Gianna; her nine great-grandchildren: Gideon, Zoe, Vivian, Leo, Wade, Isla, Noah, June, and Logan; and her brothers, Liviu and Peter.

Throughout their lives together, Ioan and Steluta quietly impacted countless people through their generosity, encouragement, sponsorship, and faithful giving. They never sought recognition for their acts of kindness. Even today, their family continues to learn of lives they touched and blessings they provided without fanfare or expectation of acknowledgment.

Steluta leaves behind a legacy of unwavering faith, unconditional love, quiet generosity, and deep devotion to her family. Her life was a beautiful testimony of humble service, steadfast trust in God, and a heart that always put others first.

What a remarkable legacy she leaves behind.