Margareta Villagas

Margareta Villegas, 69, Topeka, died Thursday, March 25, 2004 in Topeka at St. Francis Hospital.
She was born on February 18, 1935 in Eudora, Kansas to Juan Barajas and Maglalena Gutierez. A 1953 graduate of Lawrence High School, she married Arnulfo Villegas on September 7, 1963 in Lawrence, Kansas. They made their home in Topeka.
Mrs. Villegas was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. She volunteered much of the time at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School prior to getting sick in 1999. She played a major role in starting the Our Lady of Guadalupe School Cinco de Mayo Celebrations. She was the founder of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta Dancers. She helped Connie Garcia start her dancing group for the St. John's Church Fiesta in Lawrence, Kansas. She was the second person to receive the Fiesta Mexicana Pastors Award in 1999. She received the Children's Champion Award. She also volunteered for the Battered Women's Program in Topeka.
Margaret is survived by her husband Arnulfo; a daughter Simona "Mona" Villegas; a son Arnulfo Villegas II and six grandchildren, Maria "Dolores", Arnulfo III, Alejandra "Little Margaret", Ana, Esperanza and Rosita all of Topeka; three sisters, Emeteria "Terry" Gallegos and Juana Barajas, both of Lawrence and Mary Garcia of Topeka.
Margaret will lie in state from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm Sunday at the church, where a Legion of Mary Rosary will be recited a 6:00 pm, a Parish Wake will be at 6:30 pm and a Scriptural Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 29, 2004 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School and sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. On line condolences may be made to the family at www.penwellgabel.com