Margareta Villegas

Mrs. Villegas died Thursday, March 25, 2004, at St. Francis Health Center in Topeka.

She was born Feb. 18, 1935, in Eudora, the daughter of Juan Barajas and Maglalena Gutierez. She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in Lawrence in 1953. She moved with her husband to Topeka in the 1960s.

Mrs. Villegas was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and volunteered at the church’s school until she became ill in 1999. She played a major role in starting the Our Lady of Guadalupe School Cinco De Mayo celebrations and was founder of the church’s Fiesta Dancers. She also helped start a dancing group for the St. John’s Church Fiesta in Lawrence. She was the second person to receive the Fiesta Mexicana Pastors Award in 1999 and also received the Children’s Champion Award. She volunteered for the Battered Women’s Program in Topeka.

She married Arnulfo Villegas on Sept. 7, 1963, in Lawrence. He survives, of the home.

Other survivors include a daughter, Simona Villegas, Topeka; a son, Arnulfo II, Topeka; three sisters, Emeteria “Terry” Gallegos, Juana Barajas, both of Lawrence, and Mary Garcia, Topeka; and six grandchildren.

Friends may call from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at the church, where a Legion of Mary rosary will be recited at 6 p.m., a parish wake will be at 6:30 p.m. and a scriptural rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.

The family suggests memorials to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School, sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel.

Online condolences may be sent at www.penwellgabel .com.