DODGE CITY – Maria C. Hernandez, 60, died Friday, January 19, 2024 at her home in Dodge City.

She was born June 28, 1963 in Mexicali, Mexico, the daughter of Luis Valencia and Alejandriana Salazar. She had been a Dodge City resident since July 4, 1992.

She received her Associates Degree from Dodge City Community College and was a Family Liaison for USD 443 in Dodge City until retiring in 2019. While at USD 443, Maria created two dance groups (folklorico and hip hop), directed several events, which included the Reina de Cinco de Mayo, took hundreds of students to visit universities and raised thousands of dollars for scholarship funds.

There is nothing in the world Maria loved more than spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed watching sports, especially Red Demon Soccer.

On December 19, 1983 she married Saul Hernandez at Chihuahua, Chihuahua Mexico.

Survivors include: her husband of 40 years, Saul, Dodge City; their 4 children, Saul Hernandez and wife Jeanette, Dodge City, Paola Alarcon and husband Brian, Ottawa, Kansas, Luis Hernandez, Dodge City and Erik Hernandez and wife Tiandra, Hawaii; grandchildren, Davin, Brian Jr., Isabelle, Amaya, Elias, Pablo, Arjen, Saul III, Zayden, Cass, Thiago and Illiana; and many siblings.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandchildren, Italia Maria Alarcon and Braxton Hernandez and three siblings.

Visitation will be from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City. Cremation will follow the service and private family services will be held at a later date.

Since Maria had a passion for helping students make furthering education a dream come true, the family suggests memorials to the Maria Hernandez Diversity Scholarship in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.