Maria "Lena" Garcia, 82, longtime Morgan County resident passed away, December 21, 2016 at the North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, CO.   She was born October 24, 1934 in Llano, NM to Barolin and Petrolina (Medina) Sanchez.

Lena moved to Morgan County in 1953, shortly after she married the love of her life Pete Garcia on October 2, 1954 in Sterling, CO.  She was a member of Saint Helena's Catholic Church, where for many years she helped prepare food with the Altar & Rosary Society for funerals.  She enjoyed cooking, quilting, fishing, dancing and helping others. Her biggest joy in life was being with her family.

She is survived by her husband, Pete; one son, Pete (Irma) Garcia Jr. of Greeley, CO; three daughters, Ava (Juan) Parra of Glenwood Springs, CO, Belinda Garcia of Fort Morgan, and Janie Gomez of Fort Morgan; two sisters and five brothers; ten grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Lena was preceded in death by one daughter, Rafalita Garcia; four brothers; one sister and her parents.

A visitation will be Thursday, December 29, 2016 at Heer Mortuary Chapel in Fort Morgan from 4 – 6 PM followed by recitation of the Rosary at 6 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be December 30, 2016 at 10 AM at Saint Helena's Catholic Church in Fort Morgan. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.