Elida Guzman Gutierrez

Funeral services for Elida “Lela” Guzman Gutierrez, 74, Russell, will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Russell. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Russell. Mrs. Gutierrez died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005, from a cerebral aneurysm.She was born Jan. 19, 1931, in Weslaco, Texas, the daughter of Julian and Silvestre Guzman. She opened Gutierrez Mexican Restaurant in Russell in 1973. The restaurant was later expanded to multiple locations including Lawrence, Baldwin, Salina, Hays and Great Bend.Mrs. Gutierrez and her husband moved to Lawrence in 2004. She retired from the restaurant business in 1990. She was a member of the church and its Ladies Guild in Russell. She also served as president of the SCCW-Salina Council of Catholic Women and delivered Meals on Wheels.She married Ramiro E. Gutierrez on Feb. 28, 1949. He survives, of the home.Other survivors include five sons, Richard and Steve Gutierrez, both of Lawrence, Mario Gutierrez, Hays, Jerry Gutierrez, Salina, and Martin Gutierrez, Towanda; three daughters, Norma Peck, Manhattan, Dalia Hale, Wichita, and Teresa Graf, McAlester, Okla.; a brother, Raul, McAllen, Texas; four sisters, Irene Balderas and Modie Guzman Lindemann, both of Edinburg, Texas, Elvira Martinez, Boise, Idaho, and Beatriz Noriega, Mercedes, Texas; a half-sister, Concepcion Sanchez, Nampa, Idaho; 23 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.A son, Gilberto Gutierrez, and a granddaughter, Martha Graf, died earlier.Friends may call from noon to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, with a vigil service at 7 p.m. at Russell Funeral Home.The family suggests memorials to the church, sent in care of the funeral home, 610 N. Elm St., Russell 67665.