Juanita Celsa Rael, beloved mother and grandmother took her final breath on Feb. 24, 2025, with her cherished family by her side.
Celsa, as her family knew her, was born to Eutimio and Julianita Vialpando in the tiny village of Chama, Colo., on June 24, 1928, "El Dia de San Juan", hence her name, Juanita. She attended school in San Luis and later married her sweetheart, Raymond E. Rael on Feb. 4, 1948. They farmed in the community of Mesita and in 1955, moved to Romeo, where they eventually welcomed nine children into the fold.
Celsa had a green thumb and for many years had a big vegetable garden and the most beautiful, sweet peas and lilac bushes that emitted a wonderful fragrance through the entire neighborhood.
She is survived by children, Sara Lee, Julia (Donald) Chavez, Sally (Gilbert) Lopez, Cathy Martinez, James (Cindy) Rael, Randy (Lynn) Rael, and Kenneth (John) Rael. Grandchildren include Monica, Juanita, Julie, Elizabeth, Jennifer, Caryn, Delilah, Joseph, Reanna, Joshua, Jiovanna, Sherri, Justin, Malina, Dena, Nathan, Lukas, Derrek, and Brandee. There are also 32 great-grandchildren along with four great-great-grandchildren, Jason Espinoza, Jaylynn Espinoza, Ruthie Burr and newly arrived Ryker Matthias Lopez, and many beloved nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Celsa was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings, Tillie, Corina, Carlos, Benino and Eliazar Vialpando.
She was also preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, infant son Francis, Ray Jr, son-in-law Victor Martinez and grandchildren, Charlotte, Daniel, Marco and Cory.
Services will be held on Thursday, March 6, at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in La Jara, Colo., with recitation of the rosary at 10:30 a.m. and Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m. She will join her husband and son in her final resting place, the New Los Cerritos Cemetery in Manassa.
The Rael Family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the entire staff of Rio Grande Inn where Celsa received loving care the final 2 years of her life.
To leave online condolences, please visit romerofuneralhomes.com. The care of arrangements has been entrusted to Romero Valley Funeral Home of Alamosa.
