Guadalupe "Lupe" Z. Guerrero

Guadalupe “Lupe” Z. Guerrero, six days shy of her 104th birthday, passed away surrounded by her family on Saturday, November 23, 2024, in Topeka.

Lupe was born the daughter of John and Maria (Peralta) Zabala on November 29, 1920, in Kanopolis, KS. On February 13, 1943, Lupe married Bonifacio “Bacho” G. Guerrero in Topeka. Together, they shared 52 years of marriage when Bacho passed away on July 27, 1995.

She was a faithful member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, helping throughout the years with church functions and Fiesta Mexicana. Her love and devotion as the matriarch of her family was present until the end. Lupe was an excellent cook, and she took great pride in cooking meals when the family arrived, and Sunday dinners were a must for the entire family. Her home was a well cleaned, inviting home, that was filled with warmth and love. Lupe would stay busy being the family babysitter for her large family. Her interests included sewing, gardening, caregiving for others, and being a self-taught home remedy specialist. If someone had a medical ailment or an issue, she had a remedy for treatment. Lupe was a testament to her family, faith and health as she was able to live a long, fruitful, almost 104 years of life. 

After five generations, survivors include a son, Gary Z. Guerrero; three daughters, Carroll Lira (Fernando), Mary E. Valdivia, and Cana Padilla; eight grandchildren, Nick Z. Guerrero (Ashton), Cherrie Duensing (Robert), Steven Lira (Jan), Shelly Valdivia-Garcia (Vince), Chrissy Hilton (Shane), Brian Valdivia (Jessica), Rick Padilla (Stacy), and Jacque Ortiz (Steve Jr.); 17 great-grandchildren, Faith, Josephine, Jack, Justice (Bailey), Joey, Jonah, Aubri, Jacoby, Joaquin, Gus, Juliet, Ryder, Jesse, and Jayme; as well as two great-great grandchildren, Javin and Julian. Other survivors include a sister, Delores Vega; and a brother, Frank Cervantez. Lupe leaves behind a loving extended family that includes many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, Bacho Guerrero; granddaughter, Melissa; son-in-law, Frank Valdiva; son-in-law, Richard “Uzzie” Padilla; four sisters, Caroline, Margaret, Lola C., and Isabelle; and six brothers, Joe, Philip, Tony, Manuel, Memo, and Ernesto.

Visitation for Lupe will be held on Monday, December 2, 2024, from 4-8:00 P.M., with a rosary at 6:00 P.M., at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery-Topeka.

Memorial contributions can be made in Lupe's memory to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit, www.brennanmathenafh.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.