Simona Diaz

Simona (Navarro) Diaz, 96, of Julesburg, a beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, and friend to many, passed away Thursday, January 4, 2024, at Regional West Hospital in Scottsbluff surrounded by her family.

Simona was born June 12, 1927, at Laredo, TX to Amador and Simona (Longoria) Navarro.

On January 8, 1950, Simona married Rene Diaz Sr., the love of her life, at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala. Their union was blessed with six children, and the couple lived and raised their family on a farm in the southwest corner of Deuel County, halfway between Big Springs and Julesburg.

Simona was a devoted wife and mother. When her mother passed away abruptly at a young age, Simona helped in the care of her younger siblings, raising and caring for them along with her own children. She was not afraid of hard work and it showed. She always was making sure everyone was fed, making lunch for Rene and anyone lending him a hand in the fields. She was an excellent cook and housekeeper and always helped keep the farmyard beautiful. Simona enjoyed sewing, gardening, her flowers, and any yard work. She would often be seen in the evenings watering her flowers for hours. She also enjoyed her many animals, having had almost every animal you could think of at one time or another. She went through great links to ensure they were happy, fed and cared for.

Simona always made each one's birthdays extra special by baking them the biggest cakes and preparing the best meal. She enjoyed and was usually present at school activites and sports for her children and grandchildren. Their friends were her friends. She loved to entertain and visit with family and friends, always welcoming everyone she met. She especially loved having her grandchildren spend days and nights with them on the farm, spoiling, feeding, and teaching them valuable life lessons. She endured the enlistment of two sons into the military and proudly supported her many grandchildren who continue to serve our country today.

Simona was very generous and gave everything she had for the good of her family. She was also a longtime member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Julesburg, Co, until they were unable to drive. She still continued to pray for everyone as her faith was very important to her, even taking communion up until her passing. Simona and Rene went everywhere together, and they are now reunited and will celebrate their 74th wedding Anniversary together in heaven.

Simona was preceded in death by her husband, Rene Sr., in May of 2023 and her siblings, Jesse, Jose, Oscar, Paul, John, Roque, Ramon, Josie, Teresa, Virginia, and Librada; grandsons, Matthew Rene Diaz, Scotty Ray Diaz; granddaughter, Ann Marie Diaz and great-grandsons Landon Thompson, and Joshua Carr.

Survivors include her children, Rene Diaz Jr. of Piedmont, SD, Ricardo "Richard" Diaz of North Platte, Ramon "Raymond" (Jane) Diaz of Ogallala, Ruben (Karen) Diaz of North Platte, Simona M. (Anselmo) Tolentino Jr of Brighton CO, and Sara (Mike) Beam of Sutherland; along with 23 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; three siblings, David Navarro of AZ, Martha Torres of Ogallala, Lilly Navarro of TX; and many other relatives and friends.

A memorial has been established in Simona's memory for later designation by the family. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the Mass will also be streamed live for those unable to attend.

Memorial Mass will be on Wednesday, January 10, 2023, at 10:00 am at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala with Fr Bryan Ernest as Celebrant. Inurnment will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.

The Rosary will be recited at 9:30 am on Wednesday at the church.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.