DODGE CITY – Josephine "Josie" M. Mercado, 90, died Sunday, June 20, 2021 at Presbyterian Manor of the Plains, Dodge City.

She was born July 25, 1930 on the family farm in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, the daughter of Marcos and Felipita (Gonzalez) Archuleta.  A Dodge City resident since 1955, moving from Garden City, she was a babysitter for over 20 years as well the head cook in the lunchroom at Lincoln Elementary School in Dodge City for 13 years until retiring in 1992.

She was a member of the First Christian Church in Dodge City and enjoyed cooking, sewing and doing puzzles.

On August 11, 1947 she married Felix Mercado in Garden City.  He preceded her in death on November 8, 2008.

Survivors include: 4 sons, Leon and wife Paula, Dodge City, Phil and wife Pam, Kansas City, Missouri, Bill and wife Pat, Dodge City and Johnny, Dodge City; daughter, Barbara Mariche and husband Mike, Jr., Dodge City; a brother, Phillip Archuleta and wife Roberta, Las Lunas, New Mexico; 4 sisters, Praxie Bunce, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Rosie Mills, San Bernadino, California, Gloria Marez and husband Rod, Hutto, Texas and Christina Castro and husband Andy, Pueblo, Colorado; a sister-in-law, Donna Archuleta, Albuquerque, New Mexico; 30 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 8 great great grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Ida Marie Linnebur, a grandson, Justin Mercado and a sister, Gertrude Archuleta, 3 brothers, Marcus, Pat and Louis Archuleta and a daughter-in-law, Vicki Mercado.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am Friday, July 2, 2021 at the First Christian Church, Dodge City, with Phil Mercado officiating.  Cremation will follow the service.  Visitation will be Thursday, July 1, 2021 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.  Inurnment will be in Greencrest Memorial Gardens, Dodge City.

The family suggests memorials to the Manna House in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14 ^th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.