Raul Gutierrez Sr.

Raul "Ralph" Gutierrez, Sr., 86, of Topeka, Kansas, died April 26, 2013 at Stormont Vail Hospital. He was born on January 21, 1927, in Topeka, the son of Willado and Maria (Lopez) Gutierrez. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1945. He served in the United States Army during World War II and then worked as a nurses aide for the V.A. hospital retiring in 1980, and as a Licensed Mental Health Technician for the Topeka State Hospital retiring in 1989. Raul Sr. enjoyed gardening, golfing, watching and coaching sports, watching his grandchildren play sports, and family vacations. He was an avid Kansas City Royals and Kansas State fan. He was a true family man and especially loved his brothers. He was a member of the Nate Morales Knights of Columbus Council #11777 and the James W. Gibbons Assembly of the 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus. Raul Sr. married Trinidad "Trini" Tetuan on October 12, 1952 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Chicago. She preceded him in death on November 28, 1998. He was also preceded in death by a son, Raul "Ralph" Gutierrez Jr., a daughter, Patricia A. Young, and four brothers, Leo, Paul, Steve, and Willie. Survivors include three sons, Thomas R. Gutierrez of Topeka, Edmund V. (Irene) Gutierrez of Kansas City, Kansas, and Joseph C. (Letitia) Gutierrez of Topeka, three daughters, Rebecca A. (Tony Diaz) Gutierrez of Topeka, Rosemary G. Gutierrez of Topeka, and Cynthia E. Nesbit of Topeka, a daughter in law Jennifer Gutierrez, a brother Edmundo (Jean) Gutierrez of Grand Haven, Michigan, grandchildren, De Lisa Ann Young, Andrew and Alex Gutierrez, Allison Herl, Jessica Zuniga, Edmundo "Rocco" Gutierrez, Ryan Massey, Marcelino "Marc" and Joe Patrick Gutierrez, Josefina, Victoria, and Emilio Gutierrez, Jennifer and Adrienne Nesbit, and eight great grandchildren. Raul Sr. will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Monday after 2:00 p.m. where the family will greet friends after 4:00 p.m. A Parish Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus Chalice Ceremony and rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery where military honors will be provided. Memorial Contributions may be made in Raul?s memory to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church or to the Marlo Cuevas Balandran Activities Center and sent in care of the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603. Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.