Maria Aranda, age 84, of Elkhart, Kansas, died Monday, November 16, 2020, at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo, Texas. She was born October 22, 1936, in San Pedro, Chihuahua, Mexico, the daughter of Asunción Martinez and Macedonia Morales.

Maria spent her childhood and adolescent years in Mexico. She married Trinidad Aranda on December 15, 1951, in San Pedro, Mexico. Maria came to the United States when she was 19 years old where she migrated to Texas and New Mexico, then settled in Elkhart, Kansas, in 1964 to raise her family. Maria worked outside of the home and also helped raise various family members. She loved her family and thought that getting an education was the most important thing her family could do. Maria loved horse races, going to dances, doing yard work and cooking. She was a faithful member of the St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Elkhart and had strong faith in God. Maria was known and loved by her family and the entire community as “Mama”.

Survivors include her husband, Trinidad Aranda of Elkhart, Kansas; children, Jesse Aranda and wife Nena of Elkhart, Kansas, Fred Aranda and wife Raina of Ulysses, Kansas, Trinidad Aranda Jr. and wife Anna of Turpin, Oklahoma, Domingo Aranda and late wife Chris of Rolla, Kansas, Armida Villa of Amarillo, Texas, Norma Najera and husband Mario of Satanta, Kansas, and Raymond Aranda of Elkhart, Kansas; one sister, Martina Aranda of Elkhart, Kansas; 26 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren.

Maria is preceded in death by her parents; nine brothers, three sisters, and daughter-in-law, Chris; infant daughter, Oralia; and infant sons, Manuel and Oscarito.

Public visitation will be Wednesday, November 18, 2020, from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart. A private rosary and vigil service will be held. A private Funeral Mass will be Thursday, November 19, 2020, at 2:00 PM at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Elkhart, Kansas, with Reverend Francis Khoi Nguyen officiating. Funeral mass can be viewed live on Garnand Funeral Home Facebook Page. Interment will follow at Elkhart Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the Maria Aranda Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.