Obituary for Katherine Otero (Montoya) Katherine “Rena” Otero, 84, of Las Cruces passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 17th, 2018. She was born August 30th, 1933 in Hillsboro, NM to Miguel and Magdalena Montoya. She had 9 siblings — Tudy, Bobby, Mikey, Jean, May, Inez, Ida, Mary Lou, and Dorothy.
Her father Miguel was a miner, and in her early life, her family moved throughout New Mexico living in Grants, Hillsboro, and Corona. In high school, Rena met the love of her life Tony S. Otero. They married on June 22, 1951 in Vaughn, NM.
The couple moved to Las Cruces in 1953 and raised their five sons at 1852 Foster Road. Rena was a homemaker who loved her family, friends, neighbors, and backyard turtles. She opened her home to anyone in need of a meal or a listening ear.
Many neighborhood kids to this day remember her good cooking, kind words, and great laugh. She loved to sing, dance and work in her flower gardens and was known for her many beautiful geraniums. She also helped manage the family’s two Texaco service stations.
Rena was a devout Catholic who served in the Altar Society at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral for many years. She instilled this faith in her children through teaching those morals, empathy, and compassion. She gave unconditional love and always put others before herself.
She is survived by her five sons — Tony (Susie), Robert (Beverly), David (Nancy), Paul, and Sam; grandchildren — Michael, Deanna, Miranda (Lauren), Bobby (Jo Lynn), CyLinda, KayLa (Chris), Cameron, Caulin, Tina, and Jeremy; and great-grandchildren — Austin, Quiahna, Legend, Kyle, Tyse, Taryn, Bobby, Wesley, Johnny, Trae, Alexis, Bailey, Riley, and Presley. She is also survived by her brother Mikey; sisters Inez, Ida, Mary Lou, Dorothy and many nieces and nephews. Rena is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years Tony S. Otero; her mother (Magdalena) and father (Miguel); and siblings Tudy, Bobby, Jean, and May.
Visitation is scheduled at Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E. Bowman Ave on Thursday July 26th, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a rosary to immediately follow. The Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday July 27th, 2018 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral, 1240 S. Espina in Las Cruces. Burial will take place at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 5140 W. Picacho Avenue.
There will be a reception immediately following the burial at 3885 Tierra Road, Las Cruces, NM 88005. We ask everyone to join us in celebrating our mom’s life. The family would like to thank the staff at Desert Peaks Assisted Living and Mesilla Valley Hospice for their gracious love and care.
Special thanks to Sammy and Cindy Torres.
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