Tanila Hurtado Villalpando

Tanila Hurtado Villalpando went to meet her maker on May 8th surrounded by her loved ones. Born to Clemente and Juana Hurtado on November 13, 1926 in Mesa Arizona The family moved to her father's home town San Julian, Gto, Mexico because of the depression. Tanila lived there about 20 years until her father died in 1945 when the whole family moved to Leon, Gto, Mexico where she got her first job as a book binder. She met her husband, Clemente Villalpando and got married on Feb 4, 1950 in Leon. After getting married they moved back to Phoenix, Arizona where they had their first child, Alice. They lived in Phoenix a short time and traveled with her family and settled in Kingsburg. Tanila and Clemente were expecting another child, but to their surprise, she gave birth to the first triplets in Hanford, Lupe, Mario and Mercedes. Tanila and Clemente raised the 4 children and then in the next 2 years the twins, Amparo and Eva were born, it was a full house. She had a very busy life raising her six children, but worked occasionally doing seasonal work at Monte where she worked from 1962 until she retired in 1991. Tanila and Clemente had two more children Aricela and then Monica to complete the family. Faith mattered to Tanila and she made sure that her children knew all their prayers, made all their sacraments and chauffeured them to Catechism every week. She was there with her children at mass every week and prayed the rosary every night. Tanila was there no matter what her children needed she would find a way to help them. She taught them that in order to get ahead, you needed to work hard and save your money for rainy days. Tanila loved gardening, she would get up every morning and tend to her garden, she was well known on 6th Ave as the flower lady. She was very proud of how her garden looked, and often had the family help with the trimming, thinning and clearing out the weeds. She wanted it to always look its best and often shared her flowers to those who came to visit. Tanila loved her grandchildren, she would take care of them sometimes as many 5 or 6 at a time, while their parents worked. She enjoyed her time with them and always made sure to make them fresh tortillas and her special fideo. She always enjoyed their company and many spent the night and loved the extra attention. The grandchildren always said she told the best stories. Tanila loved to visit family and friends and loved traveling to different countries. She also loved playing bingo at the Kingsburg Senior Center whenever she could and loved going to the casino whenever she got a chance. She loved visiting the coast and having her favorite food, Fish and Chips. She loved sweets, but her favorite were doughnuts and she would do anything for a cup of coffee and a doughnut. Tanila has 7 surviving children Alice Sasin (Eddie), Mercedes Zamora (Rodolfo), Lupe Rodriguez, Mario Villalpando, Amparo Vryhof (John), Eva Edwards (Ronnie), Monica Carrillo. Tanila has 27 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Tanila is preceded by death by husband, Clemente Villalpando, and her daughter Aricela Meza, her mother and father, Juana and Clemente Hurtado, Her brother's Filimon, Guillermo, Eriberto, Antonio, Clemente Hurtado. Her sisters, Luisa Hurtado, Dominga Moreno and Ruth Soto. Tanila was always so positive and always said "Always God first". Tanila will truly be missed by all, especially her family and friends, she will not forget us, she will be praying for all of us. We were truly blessed to have had her for 97 years! Vaya con Dios! Viewing will be held 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1275 Smith Street, Kingsburg with the Rosary starting at 6:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial services will be held 10:00 AM Friday, May 24th, 2024 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1275 Smith Street, Kingsburg immediately followed by interment at the Kingsburg Cemetery, 12782 E. Clarkson Avenue, Kingsburg. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to water.org or you can have a mass said in her name at the church. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Creighton Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Tanila Hurtado Villalpando

November 13, 1926 - May 8, 2024