DODGE CITY – Viola M. Lopez,90, died Monday, December 8, 2025 at St. Catherine Hospital, Garden City.

She was born October 16, 1935 at Alamosa, Colorado, the daughter of Victor and Louise (Rodriguez) Martinez.  She attended St. Francis School in Sante Fe, New Mexico.

She worked at Cowtown in the evenings for 20 years and later taught at Bright Beginnings for 25 years.

She was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City, and the VFW Auxiliary.

On July 16, 1955 she married Joseph "Joe" Lopez at Dodge City.  He preceded her in death on October 10, 1997.

Survivors include: 4 children, Jeff Lopez and wife Becky, Garden City, Marilyn Treto and husband Rudy, Rosemary Lopez and JoAnn Steinert all of Dodge City; 13 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren; 3 brothers, James Martinez, Las Vegas, Nevada and Daniel DeHerrera, Mesa, Arizona and Manuel DeHerrera, Avondale, Arizona; and 2 sisters, Rosemary Sandoval, Gilbert, Arizona and Amerie Sanchez, Mesa, Arizona.

She was also preceded in death by 2 sons, Larry and Michael Lopez and a sister, Dorothy Miranto.

Vigil service will be at 7:00 pm Monday, December 15, 2025 at the Cathedral of Our lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City.  Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Tuesday at the church with Fr. John Stang presiding.  Burial will follow in Greencrest Memorial Gardens, Dodge City.  Visitation will be Monday from noon to 4:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.

The family suggests memorial to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.