EL RITO — Longtime resident of El Rito, Colorado, Carmel Rael, 86, died October 3, 2020 at her home in El Rito surrounded by her family while under hospice care.

Carmel was born in Chama, Colorado, on July 13, 1934, the daughter of Amado Aragon and Lupita DeHerrera Aragon.  She married her husband Odosio F. Rael in 1950.

Carmel was a member of the Carmelita’s and the Sacred Heart societies.  She loved cooking for her family.  She taught many of her family members how to fish and hunt and also instilled a hard working ethic in them as they worked with her on their ranch.  Carmel was the glue that held the family together.

She is survived by her children Louise Rael of Denver, Mike Rael of El Rito, CO, Eril Rael of San Acacio, CO, Erving Rael of El Rito, CO, Josephine Rael of El Rito, CO, Eli (Kimba) Rael of El Rito, CO, Leola Rael of Pueblo, CO and Norbert Rael of El Rito, CO; 27 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; she is also survived by her siblings: Della (Juan) Trujillo of Chama, CO, Helen Quintana of Pueblo, CO and Theresa (Marty) Phelps of Yuma, AZ; many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Carmel is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her children Doris Vigil, Jane Rael and daughter-in-law Juanita Rael; her brothers and sisters: Julio DeHerrera, Joe Aragon, Amos Aragon and Vivian Rodriguez; her grandchildren: Mario Valdez, Erving Rael, Jr., and Juan Rael; her great-grandchildren: Odosio Thompson and Mikaela Rael.

A Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 8, 2020 at the Iglesia de San Francisco de Assisi Catholic Church with a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial following at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 9, 2020 also at the Iglesia de San Francisco de Assisi Catholic Church.  Burial will follow the funeral mass in the San Francisco Cemetery.

The family requests that those attending please wear a mask, use hand sanitizer, and practice safe distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements.  To order flowers for Carmel’s services, please call Tenderly Yours Floral at 719-587-3597.  To leave online condolences, tributes and words of strength and comfort for Carmel’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com