Carmen Cornejo, of Wellington, Kansas, a loving mother and grandmother, died Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at Sumner Care Center in Wellington at the age of 86.
Carmen was born the daughter of Jose Refugio and Cesarea (Canales) Esparza on Sunday, February 28, 1926 in Chalchihuites, Zacatecas, Mexico.
On September 21, 1946, Carmen and Antonio M. Cornejo were united in marriage in Wellington, Kansas. Together they celebrated 60 years of marriage before his death on April 17, 2007. Carmen was a devoted wife and dedicated mother and grandmother. Always with a smile, Carmen shared her time and love with her family and friends.
Survivors include her daughters, Gloria Cornejo of Wellington, Kansas, Angie DeFrenchi (Bill Harris) of Wellington, Kansas, Rachel Hansen and her husband David of Wellington, Kansas; grandchildren, Robert Renteria and his wife Karla of Wichita, Kansas, Andria Criswell and her husband Duane of Wichita, Kansas, Tytus Cornejo and his wife April of Wellington, Kansas, Justin Cornejo and his wife Celeste of Wichita, Kansas, Jocelyn Cornejo of El Dorado, Kansas, Summer Hansen and her fiancé Jamie Tate of Wellington, Kansas, Chelsi Hansen of Wellington, Kansas, Amber DeFrenchi of Independence, Kansas, 22 great-grandchildren; brothers, Moses Esparza and his wife Veldora of Everett, Washington, Angel Esparza and his wife Mildred of Harper, Kansas, Alex Esparza and his wife Margie of Nebraska; a sister, June Prunchack and her husband Chuck of Colorado Springs, Colorado and daughter-in-law, Joyce (Cornejo) Horsch of El Dorado, Kansas along with many members of her extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; sister, Lucy House; son, Ralph E. Cornejo and grandson, Marcus Kerr.
Visitation will be at the funeral home from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22, 2012. The family will be present at both times.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, April 22, 2012 at St. Anthony / St. Rose Catholic Church, Wellington, Kansas.
Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Anthony / St. Rose Catholic Church, Wellington, Kansas.
Interment will follow in the Sumner Memorial Gardens, Wellington, Kansas.
A memorial has been established in her name and loving memory with St. Anthony / St. Rose Catholic Church Altar Society, 210 North B Street, Wellington, Kansas 67152. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.
To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit www.dayfuneralhome.info.
Arrangements are by Day Funeral Home & Crematory, Wellington, Kansas.

Published 4/20/2012
Day funeral home, Wellington Kansas