LA JARA — La Jara resident Olivia B. Garcia, 82, went to her eternal rest on March 19, at the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center with her loving family by her side. Olivia came into the world on January 21, 1938, in La Jara.
After graduating high school, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Roger Garcia. The two opened and ran their own gas station for many years. While running their store this is where Olivia made many friends in the community.
She was a loving wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend; who enjoyed playing bridge, cooking, watching cooking shows on TV, traveling and going gambling. Olivia loved the time she was able to spend with her family and will be dearly missed.
Survivors include: her eldest grandson, Darrick (Amber) Garcia of Antonito; daughters: Noel (James) Lewis-Kerr of Kenosha, WI; Sherrie (George) Elgin of Lake in the Hills, IL; sons: Wayne Garcia of Antonito, Bryan Garcia of SoCal; 13 grandchildren; Nicholas (Michelle) Garcia, Cory (Dawn) Garcia, Cody Garcia, Jason (Melody) Lewis, Eric Lewis, Kristin Lewis, Olivia Garcia, Margaret Garcia, Kendra Garcia, Sean Elgin, Jerod Elgin; nine great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law:  Liliosa Romero of Conejos and Vandeen Garcia of Alamosa. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Olivia was preceded in death by: her mother, Maria Benavides; husband, Roger “Clarence” Garcia; one sister, Stella Benevides and one brother, Henry Benevides.
Cremation was chosen and a private family memorial Service will be held at a later date. To leave online condolences please visit romerofuneralhomes.com. The care of arrangements have been entrusted to Romero Funeral Home of Antonito.