Arnulfo Villegas Sr.

Arnulfo Villegas, 89, of Topeka, peacefully passed away on April 9, 2025 at home surrounded by his family.

He was born on March 1, 1936 in Topeka, Kansas to Guadalupe and Maria (Reynosa) Villegas.

At the age of 12 he quit school to go to work to help support his family. One of the jobs he had was working in construction at the University of Kansas. Then Arnulfo went to work as a ForkLift Driver for BNSF Railroad where he retired after 34 years.

On September 7, 1963 he married his beloved wife Margareta Barajas in Lawrence, Kansas at St. John's Catholic Church. Arnulfo and Margareta lived in Topeka, Kansas where together they raised their family and never missed an opportunity to listen and dance to Mexican music. Arnulfo enjoyed eating Mexican food, attending the Fiesta Mexicana, listening to Mexican music, telling the craziest stories, and taking care of his children and grandchildren. His favorite thing to do was to watch his children and grandchildren perform in the Fiesta Mexicana and being able to catch up with his entire family. He lived for his 2 children and 9 grandchildren because he never missed one event that he could attend whether it was attending a sports game, school concert, honor roll assembly, driving carpool, or watching dance practice. He lived a full life and created the best of memories and laughs with everyone he crossed paths with.

He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and the English and Spanish Cursillo.

Arnulfo is survived by his son; Arnulfo (Sandra) Villegas II, daughter; Simona "Mona" Villegas, sister; Martha (Robert) Romero, brothers; Roman Villegas, Francis Villegas, grandsons; Arnulfo III, Julian "JR", Miguel and David Villegas, granddaughters; Dolores, Alejandra "Ale", Ana, Esperanza, and Rosita Villegas, and great granddaughters Eisley and Ariana.

He was preceded in death by his wife; Margaret Villegas, father; Guadalupe Villegas, mother; Maria Del La Cruz Villegas, daughters; Margaret Villegas, Elizabeth Villegas, sister; Magdelena Villegas, brothers; Augustine Villegas, Leopaldo Villegas, Domingo Villegas, Jesus Villegas. And other extended family members.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 15, 2025, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm with a rosary at 6:30 pm at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, Kansas 66604.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 10:00 am at the Our Lady Of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 201 NE Chandler St, Topeka, KS 66616, with Father Dan Coronado, officiating.

Burial service to follow Mass at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 801 SW Westchester Rd, Topeka, KS 66606.

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