Maria Efren Valdez

Maria Efren Valdez, age 86, of Ulysses, Kansas, died Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, Kansas. She was born May 3, 1932, in Tecolote, New Mexico, the daughter of Juan and Adelina (Gonzales) Esquibel.

Maria grew up in New Mexico and has lived in Ulysses the last four years. She was from a migrant family and worked in California, Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado. Maria married Jose Ausencio Valdez on November 8, 1948, in Tecolote, New Mexico. For ten years, she was a foster grandparent at elementary schools. She had previously worked at the coffee shop and M5 Club, both in Ulysses. Maria was a great caregiver and took excellent care of her family.

Maria is survived by her children, Jose LeRoy Valdez, Alex Ruben Valdez, Jr.; sister, Corrine Saiz; grandchildren, Doris Rodriguez, Theodore Joseph Valdez, Jr., LeAnn Valdez, Mary Valdez, Isaac Maestas, Wanda Jaramillo, LeRoy Valdez, Jr., Jeremy Valdez, Robert Valdez, Jonathan Valdez, Michael Valdez, Jared Valdez, Alex Valdez III, Ryan J. Valdez; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and special caretaker, Rafael Rodriguez-Mata.

Maria is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Jose Ausencio Valdez; sons, Jose Valdez, Ted Valdez, Alex Ruben Valdez, Benito Domingo Valdez; granddaughter, Roberta Valdez; and siblings, Amadita Jaramillo, Rosita Lucero, Cristobal Esquibel, and Prospero Esquibel.

Funeral service will be Saturday, March 23, 2019, at 10:00 AM at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel in Ulysses with Pastor Nasario Navarette officiating. Interment will follow at Ulysses Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, March 22, 2019, from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel in Ulysses, with an evening service at 6:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be given to Maria Valdez Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.