Louise Gonzales

Louise (Lopez) Gonzales, age 96 of Fort Sumner, NM passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at Mission Arch Care Center in Roswell, New Mexico. She was born May 16, 1924 in El Alamo, NM the daughter of Albaro and Ruperta (Sandoval) Lopez. She grew up in El Alamo and Fort Sumner and attended Fort Sumner schools until the 11th grade. She left school to work and help support the family. Louise married Alberto Gonzales on December 6, 1941 in Fort Sumner. Louise owned and operated the Pueblo Cafe across from the school, she later worked as a waitress at Spouts Cafe, Flying Twins Truck Stop, Sue's Cafe, and Tito's Cafe. She retired in 1994. She was a lifelong resident of Fort Sumner, for the past two years, she made her home in Roswell. Louise was a member of the D.A.V., Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, served as a member of the Senior Citizens building committee, and while at Mission Arch served on the Residential Council. Louise enjoyed going to Bingo and playing Dominos, she worked for hours on her Word Find Puzzles, and enjoyed out of town trips with the Senior Citizens group and her family. Her family remembers that no one ever left her house hungry!! She always had a pot of beans, green or red chili and a stack of homemade tortillas ready for her visitors. For dessert she always had her famous Natillas. She loved to dance and taught her children to dance. Louise was a devout Catholic who prayed the Rosary every day at 3:00 pm. family members knew better than to call her at that time. She prayed daily for world peace and anyone needing prayers. She was a member of the St. Anthony Church choir for many years. Louise never met a stranger.... she made friends everywhere she went. She loved her nieces and nephews as her own and she is loved and will be greatly missed by her family. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Alberto Gonzales on December 16, 2004, a daughter Rosalie Geisler, two sons Albert Gonzales Jr., and Joe Frank Gonzales, Foster Granddaughter Guadalupe Hernandez, two brothers Jack Lopez and Max Lopez, four sisters Carolina Griego, Olympia Lujan, Dulceinea Gutierrez, and Pavla Lopez. Louise is survived by two daughters Mary Ann Delgado (Rito) of Roswell, Melba Torres (Alex) of Roswell, three sons George Gonzales (Ruby) of Fort Sumner, Fred Gonzales (Betty) of Clovis, Steve Gonzales of Fort Sumner, a daughter in law Diana Gonzales of Lovington, and a son in law Andy Geisler of Yukon, Oklahoma. Also surviving are 17 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Due to to the current NM Department of Health Order, the service is limited only to the immediate family members. We ask that you keep Louisa and her family in your prayers. Please leave a favorite memory, share a tribute, or sign the online guest book at www.chavezfuneralhome.com . Funeral Mass was celebrated at 1:00 pm Monday, November 30, 2020 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Fort Sumner with Rev. Father Sotero A. Sena officiating. Interment followed in the family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers were Richard Gonzales, Nicky Delgado, Matthew Delgado, Jeremy Gonzales, Joseph Gonzales, and Vincent Gonzales. Honorary bearers included Michael Gonzales, Christopher Carter, Bradley Gonzales, Rito Delgado, Alex Torres, Andy Geisler, all her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Arrangements were under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311.