Vicenta Gutierrez Gonzales, 87, of Scottsbluff, passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Friday, January 19, 2024, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Scottsbluff with Father Joseph Thambi as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff. Viewing will be on Thursday, January 18 from 4-8pm with a Rosary being recited at 7pm at Bridgman Funeral Home in Scottsbluff. It is respectfully requested that memorials in Vicenta’s honor be made in care of any local volunteer group that helps with assisting the elderly. Online condolences may be made by viewing Vicenta’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Family Funeral Home in Scottsbluff is entrusted with arrangements.
Vicenta was born July 19, 1936, in Rockwood, Texas to Lucio and Vicenta Julia Gutierrez. Her family traveled to Slaten, and other parts of west Texas before settling in Tahoka, working for local farmers and ranchers. Following the death of her father, her mother moved Vicenta and her siblings to the Scottsbluff / Gering area in 1950. She was united in marriage to Alejandro Gonzales at Our Lady of Guadelupe Catholic Church where she remained a lifelong member. She was a devoted wife and mother.
Upon their arrival in western Nebraska, her family began work on the area farmlands thinning beets and finding employment as they could. Vicenta worked at the Hideaway in Scottsbluff for a short time, making enchiladas and tacos the way she learned from her mother. Together with her friend Mary Gloria, for whom she grieved greatly upon her own passing, worked hard and had fun at the Hideaway. Vicenta took pride in her cooking, knowing that she herself made some of the best food in the area.
After leaving the restaurant, she devoted her time to her children, all the while continuing to work beets. She enjoyed talking about her grandmother and often reflected on the difficult life she had and the times she spent helping her grandmother.
Mom loved flowers. All kinds of flowers. When Dad and her purchased their first home, Mom’s focus on the yard. She was proud of her house and tended to her flowers and garden. Her beloved dogs, Lucky, Ringo, and especially Mona, followed her wherever she went throughout the yard, always by her side. Mom enjoyed embroidering and drinking coffee.
She and Dad enjoyed going on drives in the car around the area, traveling to South Dakota and Wyoming. She accompanied our father on fishing trips to local creeks with the children, making tacos to eat while they were out. She never left our father’s side. She longed to return to Texas to be with her remaining relatives.
Mom loved family gatherings and made each holiday special for her family. It made her happy to be with all her children during picnics, home dinners, and on vacations.
Vicenta was preceded in death by her beloved husband Alejandro, her parents, sisters Juanita Gutierrez, Dominga Ybarra, brothers Jose “Joe” “Abundio” Gutierrez, Pablo “Pedro” Gutierrez, Refugio “Reque” Gutierrez, Lucio H. Gutierrez, and half-sister Rosita H. Jones.
She is survived by her brother Eusebio “Che” Gutierrez, sister Isabel “Manay” Martinez, half-sisters Janie Gonzales, Esther De Los Santos, Lupe Zubia, and half-brother Joe Gonzales, Children Alex (Kristi) Gonzales, Arnold Gonzales, Frank Gonzales, Daniel (Rhonda) Gonzales, Elizabeth (Felix) Marerro, Raymond (Linda) Gonzales, Virgina Collins, David Gonzales, Vincent Gonzales and grandchildren Michael (Anna) Gonzales, Jennifer Panek, Dion Gonzales, Daniel Gonzales, Jason (Brandi) Gonzales, Angela Gonzales, Stephanie Marerro, Samantha Marerro, Brandon Gonzales, Ashley Thompson, Andrew Gonzales, and numerous great-grandchildren.