Rosela M. Montana

Our beloved mother and grandmother Rosela Montana passed away at the age of 82 on September 18, 2023, in Yuma, Arizona. She was born on May 6, 1941, in Cumpas, Mexico to Francisco and Refugia Moreno. She was the foundation of her family and will always be remembered.

Rosela immigrated to the United States in 1963 as a young lady in search of a better life for her and her two young children. She met and married Vito Montana in 1964 and they had three more children together. They were married for 59 years. Rosela was a popular waitress for many decades in some of Yuma’s favorite restaurants including Latin Quarters, Beto’s, Chili Pepper, and finally, Paradise Casino.

Family was everything to her. She lived every day for her children and grandchildren and found joy in bringing her family together through her cooking. She was best known for her weekly taco dinners and tamales at Christmas. So many extended family and friends found their way to her home for family night dinners and holiday celebrations. No matter what, Rosela made everyone who entered her home feel like family.

Rosela is preceded in death by her husband, Vito, who passed away only 30 days before her on August 19th. She is survived by her daughters Norma (Richard) Stelzer, Nellie Montana, Nora (James) Winfrey, her stepdaughter, Leticia Montana (Chico Ramirez), and her two sons, Tony (Mandy) Moreno and Eddie (Carrie) Montana. She was the most loving Nana to 21 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 5
great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Elvira, and many beloved nieces and nephews. A special thank you to her niece, Frances, who was her loving caregiver during her final years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Francisco and Refugia Moreno, sisters and brothers-in-law, Socorro and Teodoro Mendoza, Eloisa and Roberto Grijalva; and brother, Jesus Moreno; nephews, Danny and Theodore Mendoza, Manuel Barraza, Jesus “Chuy” Moreno, Roberto Grijalva, Michael Anthony VanBogaert. In her honor, may we never forget that nothing is more important than family.

A memorial service for Rosela and Vito will be held on September 28, 2023, from 9:00-11:00 am at Yuma Mortuary, 775 S. 5th Ave., Yuma, AZ 85364.

Que Dios Los Bendiga.

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