Marcella Munoz Perez, 95, of Onaga, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2024, at the Onaga Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Marcella entered the world on October 30,1928, in Topeka Kansas. The daughter of Roque and Nicholasa Munoz, she had nine siblings, who all but one preceded her in death.
She attended Topeka public schools. She went briefly with her mother and five brothers to Minnesota, then returned to Topeka. She and her sister Clara worked for the Hill Basket Factory in North Topeka, a little way down from their home. In 1951 she was given the chance to be a princess in the Topeka Fiesta. She won and was crowned 1951 Fiesta Princess, which she was very proud of. She attended the Fiesta royalty every year until she could not travel anymore due to her health.
Marcella married the love of her life, Paul Perez, on February 9th, 1952, and they celebrated seventy-one years of marriage until his death in 2023.
They had six children, Richard (Barbara), Michael (Georgia), Barbara (Leonard), Karen, Sandra (Charles), and Jack. Richard & Jack preceded her in death. She had nine grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, four step-great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
Marcella and Paul moved from Topeka, Kansas, to Kansas City, Kansas, shortly after Paul returned from the army. She worked for Sunshine Biscuit factory in Fairfax then C. Tennant Electronics in Muncie,Kansas. In the late 70’s she moved with Paul and two of her children to Duluth, Kansas, where she worked for the Pyramid Sewing Company in Onaga. She then worked briefly for the Golden Acres Nursing Home in Onaga in the laundry department. She then moved to the Onaga Hospital, working in the cafeteria, and worked there until she retired in 2006, due to health concerns. Marcella enjoyed taking care of Paul and the house, she loved flowers, and her and Paul would make the hour drive to Topeka to attend the Flower and Lawn Show every year. She loved to crochet beautiful dollies. Paul bought a camper and they would visit Colorado, Arkansas, South Dakota and Wyoming, but their favorite place to go was Branson, Missouri, until their health issues restricted them from traveling. Paul and Marcella entered the Onaga Health and Rehab. Center in June of 2019. They lived in the same room together until he passed in July of 2023. Marcella loved watching B movies and Svengoolie on Saturday nights, but her favorite was the TCM channel. She could tell you most times what a movie was about and who the actors were. She enjoyed reading and she loved Amish books and movies. One of her daughters would call and read to her every night and she would sometimes fall asleep at the sound of their voice. Marcella was the best Mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. Even in her final weeks her spirit continued to touch us all. She passed peacefully at the Onaga Health and Rehab. Center with her children by her side, so we say, not goodbye Marcella, but “see you later”. With all our love from your family and friends.
Funeral Services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 15th at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Duluth. A visitation will be held from 12:30 to service time on Friday at the church. Cremation will follow the service and private family inurnment will be at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Onaga Health and Rehabilitation Center, who took such good care of Paul and Marcella, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 312, Onaga, KS 66521.
