Ana Maribel Ponce, age 62, of Ulysses, Kansas, died Sunday, December 8, 2024, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. She was born May 9, 1962, in Xicotencatl, Tamaulipas, Mexico, the daughter of Antonio Ponce Rodriguez and Maria de los Angeles Cortez Reyes.

As the owner and operator of Little Stars Day Care in Ulysses for 28 years, Ana loved and touched the lives of many children. She was very active at Country View Baptist Church where she was a member for several years and loved sharing the word of God with everyone, singing to God and serving the community. She conducted Spanish classes at the church for anyone who was interested in learning. Ana loved spending time and traveling with her family and grandchildren. She also enjoyed cooking, tasting delicious meals, trying new things, and shopping. She was a plant lover and loved to share and trade plants. She enjoyed receiving cuddles and support from her favorite dog, Chicka Lady. Ana will be remembered for being very creative.

Ana is survived by her daughters, Annabelle Rodriguez Ponce of Hayward, California, Elizabeth Rodriguez of Orlando, Florida, Ashley Gibbons of Ulysses, Kansas, and Angela Ponce of Waco, Texas; siblings, Victoria Villegas of Redwood City, California, Elizabeth Perez of Ulysses, Pedro Ponce of Ulysses, Jose Antonio Ponce of Mendez, Mexico, Felipe Ponce of Mendez, Mexico, Francisco Ponce of Redwood City, California, Alejandro Ponce of Ulysses, Noe Ponce of East Palo Alto, California, Rolando of Mendez, Mexico, and Mauricio Ponce of Houston, Texas; and seven grandchildren, Dakota, Edwin, Eli, Mackenzie, Brody, Ollie and Milo.

Ana is preceded in death by her parents, Antonio and Maria Rodriguez, sister, Elizabeth Perez, and brother, Francisco Ponce.

Visitation will be Friday, December 13, 2024, from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses. Praise service will be Friday, December 13, 2024, at 6:00 PM at Country View Baptist Church. Funeral service will be Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 2:30 PM at Country View Baptist Church with Pastor James Berry officiating. Interment will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Ana Maribel Ponce Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.