It is time to say goodbye to a wonderful couple of 51 years, Maria and Mario Barraza.

Maria was the eldest daughter of twelve.  She was born on September 26, 1947 in Shallowater, Texas to Ynosencia Garcia and Geronimo Lopez.  After a couple of seasons coming to Fort Morgan, Maria's migrant working family came and stayed in 1964.

Mario was born in Elegido La Rosita, Coahuila, México on April 11, 1944 to Macaria Castañeda and José Barraza.   Starting at the age of nine, Mario was already working to help support his family.  At the age of fourteen, he left home and made his way to the United States in search for the American dream; suffering many hardships along the way.  He too, was a migrant worker who somehow ended up in Fort Morgan.

Mario and Maria met through a mutual friend at a family gathering.  Mario said, "it was love at first sight".  When he went to ask Maria's father permission to court her, Mario claimed they tried to "trick him" because they kept bringing out Maria's sisters instead.  He told them, "No, I saw the most beautiful one of all and that's the one I came for."  The couple was married on July 20, 1968.

They would spend the next 51 years together; raising a family and helping extended family, friends, and sometimes strangers.  Maria would focus on being a stay at home mom the first twelve years of marriage.  When her children started school, she returned to agricultural work.  Here she would demonstrate what an intelligent women she was; negotiating contracts with farmers and workers that she subcontracted with.  She later worked at Western Sugar and then finishing up her work experience at Valley View Villa.

Mario continued to work in agriculture work, working for Keith Bath for many years.  He said, he "would be forever grateful to him not only for the work opportunity and providing housing for the new couple but also for sponsoring his Visa".  Having a Visa made it possible him to continue his American dream.  Mario eventually worked for Union Pacific Railroad where he retired with full benefits after 27 years.   Mario and Maria were very hard workers who would take their shirt off for someone in need.

Their home was always full of love and faith that the Lord would provide.

Mario and Maria were preceded in death by; their parents, their son Mario Barraza Jr., and their siblings, Daniel Barraza, Tomasa Barraza, Augustine Lopez, Justo Lopez, Rosa Elva Barraza, Candelario Lopez, Geronimo Lopez Jr., Israel Barraza, Maggie Lopez and many friends and family.

They are survived by their children; Tomaza (Manuel) Barrios, Ynosencia Barraza, and Elijio Barraza, Grandsons; Efren Martinez Jr., Elijio Barraza Jr. Mario Angelito Trevithick, Nicolas (Adriana) Barrios, Ulysses Contreras, Darius Trujillo, Emiliano Martinez, Elijah Barraza, Elias Barraza and Kamdyn Barrios, one grand-daughter; Santanna Barrios and one great-grandson; Hendrix Barrios.  Mario has one brother, Gabriel (Maria Elena) Barraza and Maria has the following siblings; Elijio Lopez, Jesus (Yolanda) Lopez, Guadalupe (Thelma) Lopez, Ramona (Maclovio) Salazar, Ramon (Tina) Lopez, Josie (Fred) Lopez-Rodriguez, Isidro Lopez, and Mary Frances Rodriguez.   They will be greatly missed by all, including many nephews, nieces, and friends.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, December 4th at 2:00 PM in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Fort Morgan. You can join in a zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4369216105?pwd=cjJDSGNmc20wNWxYRGdCdjRHYjhEQT09 meeting id 436 921 6105 and passcode 1515. Social distancing will be observed.