Lois Maria Montoya

Lois Maria (Arellano) Montoya, 90, of La Junta, was called home on December 31, 2020 at Bent County HealthCare Center in Las Animas. She was born June 13, 1930 to Thelma (Roy) and Fernando Arellano in Silver Cliff, CO. Lois married Jose Robert Montoya on October 10, 1953 in Raton, New Mexico; together they raised three daughters in La Junta.

Lois attended public school in Florence and Salida, CO. She came to La Junta in 1950 with her family, who came with The Benedictinen Nuns to work at the Santa Fe Hospital. With the assistance of the Benedictinen Order she continued her education and completed the Surgical Tech Program in Denver and worked as a Surgical Tech in the Operating Room and also in Nursing Services in the Emergency Room at the Santa Fe Hospital, Mennonite Hospital and Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center until 1983.

She was loved for her kindness and compassion and her willingness to always help others. Her life was devoted to giving her family the best life that she could. She was a faithful member of Our Lady of Guadalupe St. Patrick Parish. She was a member and served as an officer of Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Little Flower #925, she volunteered for 20 years as Elf Central for Jay’s Community Dinner.

Lois overcame many health obstacles and persevered through it all. She loved the Lord and is whole again in his arms. She was a woman of great faith who had many talents and never ceased to amaze those around her; she loved to embroider, cook, bake, sew, and read.

She is survived by husband, Jose Robert of the La Junta home; daughters, Rose Marie Florez of West Jordan, UT; Gail (Tim Lopez) Montoya of Colorado Springs, CO and Karen (Ray) Martinez of La Junta; grandchildren, Riko (Heather) Florez of Stansbury, UT; Aisha (Jaime) Bennett of Layton, UT; Emilia Rose Lopez-Montoya of Seattle, WA; Stephanie Ruiz of Colorado Springs, CO; Jacob Martinez of Pueblo, CO; great-grandchildren, Madison, Morgan and Elway Florez and Isabella Bennett; brothers, Joe (Rita) Arellano and Charles Arellano; sister, Ellen Sanchez; brother-in-law, Lee Campbell. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Mary Martinez, Elizabeth Laurentz and JoAnn Campbell; brother, Herbert Arellano; brother-in-law’s, Louie Martinez and Joe Sanchez; sister-in-law, Pauline Arellano; and great-grandson, Antonio Florez Bennett.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Memorial Mass at 10:00 a.m. for Jose & Lois at Our Lady of Guadalupe/St. Patrick Parish. Inurnment will be Monday, August 30, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. at the Ft. Lyon National Cemetery in Ft. Lyon.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.