Jennie Olivarez Mendez

Jennie Olivarez Mendez, 90, of Topeka, died February 2, 2009 at the Topeka Adult Care Center.

She was born on June 24, 1918 in Topeka, Kansas the daughter of Encarnation and Tranquilina (Ramirez) Olivarez..  She attended Our Lady of Guadalupe School.

Jennie was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and loved to crochet.  She will be most remembered for her love of her family and being a mother.

Jennie married Rafael C. Mendez in Topeka, Kansas on December 10, 1938.  He preceded her in death on May 6, 1985.

She is survived by seven children:  Ralph Mendez and wife Mae of Topeka, Rita Ramirez of Topeka, Juanita Wilson and husband Roger of Topeka, John Mendez and wife Carol of Topeka, Michael Mendez of Waynesville, North Carolina, Richard Mendez of Topeka and Virginia Ortega and husband Ray of Tulsa, OK.  She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren and her two sisters, Angelina Olivarez of San Diego, CA. and Guadalupe Carrasco of Phoenix, AZ.

Mrs. Mendez will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Thursday, Feb. 5th, after 2:00 p.m. where a Parish Vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Feb. 6th at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.  Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church or the Marlo Cuevas Balandran Activity Center Building Fund and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

Online condolences to www.brennanmathenafh.com.