Obituaries (March 11)

Jude “Juice” Navarrette

1977-2021

Jude “Juice” Navarrette, age 44, was called home by the angels, while surrounded by loved ones on March 5, 2021.

She was a member of the Catholic Church. Jude had a big heart, cared for all and helped anyway she could. Her smile and laugh were contagious. Jude loved listening to oldies, and was a huge Raiders fan. She was loved by family and friends and has begun her journey as our butterfly.

Jude is preceded in death by her grandparents, Ramon and Helen Saiz; father, Richard Navarette; aunt, Lora; and nephew, Leonard Jr.

She is survived by her mother, Judy; brother, Leonard Sr.; sister, Leann; niece, Joleen; and nephews, Polo, Sean, Christopher and Eddie; prima, Katielyn; her baby girl nieces, Leneah, Kataleya, Izelia and Zia; nino, Dennis; and nina, Ida; and many more loving family and friends.

The family would like to thank the Presbyterian Hospice staff, Alyssa, Ginny and Fabian for all that you did for Jude.

Services will be held on Monday, March 15, with a Rosary to be recited at Romero Funeral Home Chapel at 11 a.m., and interment to follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Leonard, Sean, Jessica “Baby D” and Andrew “Dru.” Honorary pallbearers are Joleen, Polo, Leneah, Kataleya, Izelia, Zia and Katielyn.

Please sign Jude’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Amy Rene Newport

1972-2021

Amy Newport died suddenly on Feb. 12, 2021, at age 48.

She was the daughter of Darlene Crawford Elliott and Donald W. Newport, of Los Lunas. She is survived by her son, Nathan Davis; and ex-husband Jeffrey Davis; her mother, sister, Rebecca Newport; father and stepmother, Kate Newport; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Amy was a beautiful, loving and talented person. She loved animals, painting and flower arranging having graduated from Trim International in Floral Design.

She loved going to concerts and was a devoted fan of Ghost and Rudolph Valentino, reading books about him and viewing all of his films. She played guitar and drums in her earlier years and won many ribbons and trophies showing horses and barrel racing.

She was a 1991 graduate of Los Lunas High School and had attended the University of New Mexico-Valencia campus, majoring in criminal justice. Although she had experienced many challenges over the past several years, Amy was looking forward to brighter years ahead.

Amy is at peace now but she has left a huge hole in our hearts. Amy was cremated and a private family memorial will be held.

Robbie Ray

1981-2021

Robbie Ray, age 39, our precious angel born June 5, 1981, went home with our Lord on March 3, 2021, and is now our angel in heaven.

Anyone who met Robbie was touched by his infectious smile and loving soul. Robbie most enjoyed being with his family and close friends, but was never happier than being in the arms of his mother.

He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Leo Peralta; uncle, Lawrence Peralta; and cousin, Andrew Marquez.

Robbie is survived by his mother, Charlotte Campbell-Lovato (Jason); grandparents, Martin Campbell (Tracy), Eloisa Campbell and Esther Peralta; as well as his aunts, uncles and many cousins and friends.

We would like to thank the many friends, caretakers, hospital staff and all who cared for Robbie and were very much a part of his life.

Services took place on Wednesday, March 10, at Romero Funeral Home Chapel. Interment followed at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers were Jennifer Eylicio, Daniel Chavira, Anton Trujillo, Celia Sanchez, Martin Max Campbell and Damion Montoya.

Please sign Robbie Ray’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Michael Lawrence Sanchez

1955-2021

Longtime Belen resident, Michael Lawrence Sanchez, age 66, was called by the Lord he loved so much, in peaceful sleep on March 7, 2021.

He was a devout Catholic. Michael was a kind, loving, and very humble to all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Finnimore and Rose Sanchez; grandma, Maggie; and brother, Pat.

He is survived by his sister, Joyce; brothers, Finnimore, Paul and Peter.

His imprint on our lives is eternal. Michael, when you were born, you cried while the world rejoiced. You lived your life in such a way that now we cry while you rejoice. Truly, you will always be an inspiration in our hearts.

Services will take place on Thursday, March 11, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, beginning with a visitation at 9:30 a.m., a Rosary to be recited at 10 a.m., and Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m.

Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Please sign Michael’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Ted Alden Tietjen

1942-2021

Ted Alden Tietjen, 78, of Jarales, passed away on March 3, 2021.

He was born to parents, Wesley Alma Tietjen and Melva Etta Davenport on July 20, 1942, in Grants.

Ted met Rena Dianne Sullenger in 1963, and they were married on Sept. 20, 1963. Together they raised three daughters, Chantal, Shelby and Cindy before raising his son, Layne Evan.

Ted graduated from Grants High School in 1960, and went on to study agriculture at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. He was a cowboy, working on ranches and feedlots and he was a champion bronc rider. Once he started his family, he sold real estate and insurance before getting into the hog farming business.

After many years of raising hogs, he retired in 1995. He served with the Jarales Fire Department from 1979 through 2005 and was the very first assistant fire chief that District 9 ever had.

He enjoyed fishing and was good at gardening. He always had a few cattle and a couple of horses to keep him busy. He always enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ted is survived by brother, Ned and wife, Janet Tietjen; daughters, Chantal Truelock and her partner, Eric Holton; sons, Quentin and wife, Regina, and their three children, Zariah, Quentin and Logan; Alden and his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Alden, Jenelle, and David; Shelby Horton and her daughters, Ashley Horton and her two children, Trinity and Rowdy; Brittany Horton and fiancé, Derek Perez; Cindy Larson and husband, Shane, and their son, Joshua, and his son, Layne Evan Tietjen.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Wesley and Melva Tietjen; his infant sister, Jenny Lou; sisters, Lavern Carver, Louise Alexander and Bobby Jo Randles; and his wife, Dianne Tietjen.

Services are scheduled for 11 a.m., Monday, March 15, at Calvary Chapel Rio Grande Valley, 19381 N.M. 314, Belen. Pastor Jason Peck will officiate the ceremony.

The family will be gathering at Ted’s house, 24 Landess Lane, Jarales, after the burial to eat and celebrate Ted’s life.

The family has entrusted Noblin Funeral Home with the arrangements.

Rudolph “Rudy” Lauriano Valenzuela

1965-2021

Rudolph “Rudy” Lauriano Valenzuela, an educator and resident of Los Lunas, has passed away on the early morning of Feb. 25, 2021, at the age of 55.

Rudy, a 1983 graduate of Los Lunas High School, was very ambitious, both academically and athletically. He was a multi-sport New Mexico All-State selection in football, wrestling and track & field. After receiving many scholarships from around the country, he decided to take his football talents to southern California, where he attended Imperial Valley College.

Rudy was a phenomenal player and teammate, with a work ethic that would quickly separate himself from everyone else. Upon graduating with honors and receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree specializing in education, Rudy continued his academic and athletic career by attending New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M. He lettered both years as a standout player and again, received a Bachelor of Arts degree specializing in history while minoring in athletics.

Post Highlands University, Valenzuela demonstrated his admirable devotion to assisting troubled youth by becoming a staff member of Vision Quest Wagon Train Program in Elfida, Ariz. This program gathered troubled youth from the inner-cities of California such as Stockton, Compton, Oakland and San Diego. The majority of the youth were former gang members facing juvenile hall.

Following his tenure with Vision Quest, he would go on to attend the University of Texas, San Antonio, where he studied and worked under Texas state Rep. Anadelia Romo as a grant writer. His main objective was to research and write proposals and reports with the help of a grant coordinator for the Texas Legislature.

Following San Antonio, Valenzuela continued his academics at the University of Oklahoma’s College of Education in Norman, Okla. Valenzuela would go on to receive a master’s degree in special education while obtaining a minor’s degree in physical education.

Over the next 10 years, Rudy would go on to teach and coach athletics in multiple school districts all over New Mexico, which included Cuba, Espanola, Los Lunas and Belen. Throughout his life, he helped hundreds of kids in many ways whether it was coaching, teaching or just being a great mentor.

During the latter stages of his life, he was a member of the USATF Master’s Club, where he achieved national and international ranking in the sport of track and field. Anybody who encountered Rudy, knew he devoted his life to physical fitness and community service, primarily troubled youth.

Rudy was highly decorated in both athletics and education. This was all capable due to his tenacious demeanor and championship attitude which helped inspire many. Rudy Valenzuela is a fiber woven into the Los Lunas community and his legacy will live on forever.

Rudy is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Evaristo and Sophia Gonzales; paternal grandparents, Senobio and Susie Valenzuela.

He is survived by his son, Aaron Valenzuela and girlfriend, Danielle; longtime friend, Rebecca Romero; loving parents, David and Alice Valenzuela; sister, Delilah and husband, Dave Sanchez; nephew, Jordan and wife, Kystal; nieces, Gabby, Mykayla and Marisa; nephew, David; great-nieces, Amaya and Lilliana; and great-nephew, Zayden.

Services took place on Tuesday, March 9, at San Clemente Catholic Church in Los Lunas. Interment followed at Los Lentes Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Lawrence Valenzuela, Dean Vigil, Ron Hubble, Jordan Moody, Aaron Valenzuela, Joseph Barta, Jason Gonzales and Dave Sanchez. Honorary pallbearers were Robert Valenzuela, Anthony Garley, James Shoun, Forrest McNabb, Tim Shaoun, Aristeo Valenzuela and Peter Valenzuela.

Please sign Rudy’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.