Barbara C. Montoya

Barbara C. Montoya, 79, of Johnson Lake, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2022, at Kearney Regional Health Center in Kearney, Nebraska surrounded by her family.

She was born on April 10, 1943, in Santa Fe, New Mexico to Tony and Sarah (Mehelic) Wright. In 1964 she was united in marriage to Bennie L. Montoya. She lived in Algodones, New Mexico for most of her life but moved to Johnson Lake, Nebraska in 2002.

Barbara was the kind of person whose sheer presence put everyone around her at ease. Her spunkiness and sass will be greatly missed by all who knew her but will certainly bring huge smiles to our faces whenever we think of her. Being in the kitchen, cooking for others was one of her greatest past times. She could be found making hundreds of tamales for her family and friends. Teaching her grandchildren her own family traditions make for great memories, including nightly visits from her small critter friends that would visit her front porch.

Only a few of the words to describe Barbara would be selfless, loving, generous, caring, brave, and a very strong prayer warrior. As Barbara’s family, we realize that it’s not the length of life that matters but the depth. The deep impact that she has had on all our lives will last for an eternity.

We will hold our Precious Mama, Granny, Auntie, Sister, and Friend in our hearts forever until we can hold her again in Heaven.

She is preceded in death by her husband; Bennie, father; Anthony, mother; Sarah, sister Marie, and brother; Jerry.

Those left to celebrate her memory are her sons, Anthony and Stephen Montoya; daughters, Diana Marie Montoya, Leticia (Nathan) Bonifas and Paula (James) Bagnell; sister, Patricia (Kenneth) Ward; grandchildren, Christine Artelejo, Dionicia Montoya, Bennie Montoya, Stevie Kane (Breanna) Stallbaum, Stormie (Derik) Holbein, Elayna Montoya, Beau Bagnell and Skyler (Jake) Howitt; great grandchildren, Owen, Miguel III, Cheyanne, Mairik, and Gille Xavier as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Inurnment will be in the Santa Fe National Cemetery next to her husband, Bennie.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with the local arrangements.  Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefunerahome.com