Alma G. Montemayor

On the evening of Feb. 23, 2009, our hearts were filled with sadness when a very special loved one was chosen by our Heavenly Father to return to the heavens above.

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, friend and many, many others to follow, blessed us all throughout our life with lessons learned, advice, cooking recipes, keys to happiness and success in our lives and countless lessons that will be passed on for many years to come. The love and warmth shared was one that lives forever in our hearts and in our minds. Those that had the opportunity to feel that which came from the heart of this beautiful woman can only look to the heavens above and thank our Heavenly Father for sharing this special angel with us for the 84 blessed years of her life.

Alma Garcia Montemayor was born Nov. 30, 1924, in Crystal City, Texas, to Mr. and Mrs. Ignacio and Severa Garcia. She was married to Santiago Montemayor on April 28, 1940, in Stateline, Iowa. They were married for 64 years and were blessed with seven children, Andres Abelino III (preceded in death), Santiago Montemayor Jr., of Pearsall, Texas, and his two children and four grandchildren, Sophia M. Cruz (widow of Alonzo Cruz) of Moses Lake and their five children, 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, Maria Alma Williams, wife of Gene Williams of Springfield, Mo., and their seven children and three grandchildren, Chevy Zarate and her two children and one grandchild of Moses Lake, Laura Yruegas, wife of Alvaro Yruegas of Moses Lake and their four children and one grandchild, and Veronice Hernandez, wife of Manuel Hernandez of Pearsall, Texas, and her two children and one grandchild.

Alma and Santiago made their life together in Crystal City while migrating “al norte” to work in the field crops but always returning to their home in Crystal City. They were both business-oriented and had a very successful Lone Star Beer regional distribution center for many years and in the 1960s also were hosting braceros under the “Bracero Program.” In 1965, they moved to Moses Lake and worked for various local farmers such as Mr. K. Shigeno, Mr. Thorn Baker and Mr. Forrest Lybbert. In the 1970s, they returned to Texas, where they entered the restaurant business and established “El Taco Parado.” The “Taco” was “inherited” by daughter Veronica, and still stands today with its famous homemade flour tortilla tacos, warm coffee and the smile, laugh and conversation that has accompanied each and every meal.

She enjoyed the last of her years after losing her life-long partner in 2002, in Kennewick, Wash., where she lived with her eldest daughter. She will be greatly missed, forever in our hearts and prayers and never, ever forgotten. God bless you for all the memories and love shared with all of us. You taught us how to love ourselves, each other and therefore, our children are loved and for that we thank you.

Memorial services will be held at Pasco LDS Center in Pasco, Wash., on Wednesday, and funeral services in San Pablo Methodist Church in Pearsall, Texas, on Saturday, and internment at Pearsall Cemetery.