Rosa P. Casarez, age 92, of Russellville, Arkansas, died Friday, December 6, 2024, at her home with her family.

She was born May 17, 1932, in Gila, New Mexico, to Hilario and Avelina Maldonado Polanco.

Rosa was an amazing homemaker and neighbor. She loved to cook and take care of her home and children, as well as being outside tending to her flowers. Rosa was a devout member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Bayard and dedicated much of her time to her church, often baking her special lemon meringue pie for bake sales and other church functions.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, David Casarez; a brother, Julio Polanco; and two sisters, Irene Placencio and Anita Torrez.

She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Olga and Mark Klunder, and Carmen and Willy Hefler; a brother, Candido Polanco; three sisters, Mary Jean Lovato, Lorenza Polanco and Lila Provencio; a sister-in-law, Ruth Polanco; four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Visitation for Rosa will take place at ten-thirty in the morning on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Bayard. A Recitation of the Holy Rosary will follow at eleven o'clock. The Funeral Mass will begin at eleven-thirty. Father Martin Okonkwo will officiate. The Rite of Committal and Interment will be at Fort Bayard National Cemetery following the Mass.

Serving as Pallbearers are Adam Klunder, Anthony Klunder, Sonia Hoefler Barnes, and David Hoefler.

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