Celia (Prieto) Olivas

Celia (Prieto) Olivas was born to Jose & Celia Prieto on Feb. 12, 1943 in Chihuahua, Mexico. On Jan. 5, 2007, the beloved Moses Lake citizen died in a car accident on Highway 6, south of Salt Lake City, Utah. Celia was married to Hector Olivas on Jan. 30, 1965, in Mexico. Shortly thereafter, she and her husband moved to the Columbia Basin, where he worked in agriculture and she worked as a housewife. Gifted at childcare, she raised eight children of her own and made a living as a childcare provider. She babysat dozens of Columbia Basin children over 15 years. Mrs. Olivas was a talented gardener, an admired cook, and a tireless seamstress. She sewed many formal gowns and bridesmaids' dresses, and patched the knees of countless farmers' jeans. She joined the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 1976. Until her death, she was a very active member—particularly at the Spanish-speaking church in Othello.

For all her devotion to her church and for all her integrity and hard work in childcare for local children, she will be greatly missed by her community. For her unending love as a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, and aunt she will be greatly missed by her family.

She is survived by her husband, Hector Olivas; daughters Yolanda Castillo, Gracie Lauffer, Susie Chavez, Cecilia Ramos, Jacqui Swartz, and Joanna Olivas; son Ubaldo Olivas; grandsons Marcus & Matthew Castillo and Isaiah Ramos; granddaughters Denise Ramos and Alyssa & Olivia Lauffer; sisters Maria Ortiz and Amparo Ponce; and brothers Rodolfo & Jose Prieto. She is preceded in death by son David Olivas.

The wake was held on Friday, Jan. 12 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Kayser's Chapel of Memories. The memorial service was held on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 3 p.m. at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 736 E. Elm Street, Othello.