Grace Katherine Sanchez

Grace Katherine Sanchez

1936-2023

Our beloved Gracie passed away peacefully at her home in Bosque Farms with her daughter, Yvonne by her side.

Grace was a lifelong resident of Valencia County. She grew up in Belen and graduated from Belen High School in 1954. It was there that she met her high school sweetheart, Polonio Sanchez.

Grace and Polo eloped in 1955 and celebrated more than 60 years of marriage when he passed away in 2018. Grace and Polo raised their three children in Bosque Farms. She was active in running her father’s insurance agency in Belen — Culver Agency. Grace married into the Sanchez family at age 19 and was very close to her in-laws. She loved to sew and would teach many of her sisters-in-law how to sew.

Grace was a member of Valley Lutheran Church. She had been treasurer for more than 40 years and just loved her church family.

Grace continued in the insurance business with her daughter running their own agency, Rio Grande Financial Network in Los Lunas, for more than 23 years. She was dedicated to her customers and considered many of them family. She even came in to the office the week of her passing.

Grace had so many diverse friends and was always ready to lend a hand if someone needed help. She would tell you like it is but also you knew she loved you. She was always up for any adventure from traveling, family get-togethers, working, hunting with her husband, church and spending time at the family ranch.

The biggest joy in Grace’s life was when she became a Tica (grandmother) to Jon and Andrea.

Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Apolonio Sanchez; her parents, Roy and Katherine Culver; her mother and father-in-law, Brijida and Felipe Sanchez; brother, Russell Culver; and son, Lionel Sanchez.

She is survived by her children, Yvonne and Michael (Jimalene); grandchildren, Jonathon, Andrea and Logan; sisters-in-law, Florinda Kasner, Nattie Baca and Lorencita Hanson; brothers-in-law, Steven and Felipe Sanchez; her favorite “out-laws,” Sandi, Fabiola, Corrine, Dorothy Sanchez, Hazel Martinez and Willie Lucero.

She is also survived by her beloved German Zeta. Grace is survived by an amazing Sanchez family of cousins, nieces and nephews who she loved so much.

Grace was also fortunate to have been survived by her caregiver and friend, Dora Clousse. She was also blessed with the best neighbors, Thomas Salazar and Beatrice Carabajal, who she considered family.

Services are scheduled for Friday, July 7, at Calvary Chapel Rio Grande Valley, 19381 N.M. 314, Belen. A visitation will be from 11a.m. to 12 p.m.; a memorial service from 12-1 p.m.; and a reception is from 1-3 p.m.

Arrangements are being provided by Noblin Funeral Service in Los Lunas.