Josephine "Josie" Flores passed on to heaven on March 29, 2018. Josephine "Josie" Flores was born on March 10, 1928 in Powell, Wyoming. As the oldest of 6 sisters and 5 brothers, she grew up in a large, loving Mexican American farm family. From her Mexican immigrant father and New Mexican mother, she learned the art of Mexican cooking, growing flower and vegetable gardens, and especially growing jalapenos. As a teenager, she left school to help her mother with housework on the farm and to support her brothers and sisters to complete their schooling. Consequently, she has always served as a second mother to her siblings who all adore her tremendously and have relied on her throughout the years.
In 1950, Josie married Florentino Flores who she loved unconditionally throughout their 67 years of marriage. They were blessed with six children. She devoted her life to providing unconditional love, nurturing care, and any support needed for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her central mission and passion in life was about giving to and caring for others. In addition to her family, Josie spent many years taking care of other children in the Worland community. She cared for children in her home whose parents were working or who needed a place to be after school. For many years, Josie served as a Foster Grandmother at Westside Elementary School, the NOWCAP Migrant Head Start Program, and Absaroka Head Start Program. As a testament to her impact on the children she served is the fact that she is still remembered and loved by many of those children who she nurtured. They always came up to hug her and talk about their lives whenever they saw her in the community.
Josie worked hard all her life and was always on the go doing something for the family or for others. She had lots of creative energy for multiple activities she loved to do, such as cooking, gardening, embroidery, helping others in numerous ways, and working. She had a strong work ethic and served the community in other capacities, such as working for Lanes Butcher Shop, cleaning dishes in the Washakie Hotel, housekeeping for the Washakie Memorial Hospital, and cleaning the offices for Curtis Optometry Clinic. Since Josie was young and throughout her life she has given selflessly and passionately to others, and her family and the Worland community have greatly benefited from her love.
Josie is survived by her husband, Florentino; four sisters, Bea, Lea, Mary, Mary Ann; two brothers, Felix, Joe (Lottie); her daughter and three sons, Elena, Richard, David (Mary), Tony; her 10 grandchildren, Rico (Megan), Jason, Nathan, David (Kirsten), Sheena (Dale), Nicholas (Jessica), Anthony (Veronica), Ciera (Bryan), Oceana, Carmen (Alex); her 22 great grandchildren; her great great grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Felix Saldana, her mother, Elisa Saldana, her sister, Mickey, her brothers, Fred, George, and Frankie, and her two sons, Carlos and Tom.
A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 10:00am at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 1099 Charles Ave. Worland, Wyoming followed by a lunch reception. Inurnment will be held at the Donald J. Ruhl Memorial Cemetery in Greybull, Wyoming at 2:30pm. Father Ray Rodriguez will be the Celebrant for the services. Arrangements have been entrusted to Veile Mortuary.