Obituaries (April 17, 2025)

Ruben E. Baca

1932-2025

Ruben E. Baca, age 92, a resident of Belen, passed away on April 11, 2025, at his home in Belen, surrounded by his loving family.

Services will take place on Wednesday, April 23, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tomé, beginning with a visitation at 10 a.m., followed by a Rosary at 11 a.m., and Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11:30 a.m.

Interment will take place at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 24, at Mount Calvary.

Ruben was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tomé. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War. After his return from Korea, he married Lucille Lujan. Together they had five children.

Lucille passed away in 1993. Ruben’s daughter, Evelyn, passed away in 1998, and his son, Rudolfo “Rudy” passed away in 2009.

Ruben is survived by his other loving children, Angela Sievel (Eugene), Martin Baca (Valery) and Berlinda Eras (Ken).

Ruben was the last remaining child of his late parents. He is preceded in death by his parents, Antonio V. and Elicia Sanchez Baca; siblings, Carmen Waid, Cipriana Sanchez, Ramoncita, Marcie, Joty, Tony and Olmedo Baca.

At 92 years old, Ruben was preceded in death and survived by many loving family and friends. After his retiring from General Electric, he returned to his roots to ranch in Belen.

Pallbearers will be Vanessa Stedman, Isaac, Ricky, Tony, Mark and Kenny Baca.

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

Salomon Baca

1961-2025

Our amazing Salomon Baca, husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, went to be with Jesus on Friday, April 11, 2025.

Salomon was born in Belen on Oct. 14, 1961. His desire was to serve Jesus, share his faith with others and love people. He loved life and always saw the bright side of everything. He was known as a jack-of-all trades. There was nothing he couldn’t do, fix or accomplish.

Salo was always helping someone, even when he was on oxygen. His life journey included serving on the DOE SWAT team, iron working, construction, carpentry, ranching and farming. His work ethic was an example to all.

Salo’s love for Christ and his family was strong. He loved hunting with his boys and spending time outdoors as much as he could. There was never a dull moment when Salo was around.

He is preceded in death by his son, Caleb Baca; father, Ruperto Baca; mother, Lourdes Baca; sister, Evangeline Baca New; and brother, Leonard David Baca.

He is survived by his wife, Lori; son, Joshua; daughter, Desiree; granddaughter, Brielle; seven sisters, two brothers, and many nephews and nieces.

Services for Salo will be held at Abundant Life Christian Center, 105 Avenida Del Fuego, Rio Communities, on Friday, April 18. Visitation will take place at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m.

Salo will then be laid to rest at Terrace Grove Cemetery immediately following the service.

Pallbearers are Joshua Baca, Toby Baca, Bobby Romero, Jacob Gabaldon, Blaine Gabaldon and Christina Baca. Honorary pallbearers are Ruperto Baca and Leonard Baca-Trujillo.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.

Alice Evelyn Gabaldon

Died 2025

Alice Evelyn Gabaldon, age 80, of Los Lunas, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by those who adored her on April 11, 2025.

Alice is preceded in death by her mother and father, Arturo and Lola Montano; brothers, Paul Montano, Livy Montano and Nick Montano; daughter, Therese Duran; and son, Michael Gabaldon.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 59 years, John Gabaldon; her son, John Gabaldon; daughter, Emily (Dean) Jaramillo; daughter-in-law, Trish Gabaldon; sisters, Veronica Chavez and Rosemary Marquez; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Alice, beyond being a devoted wife, adoring mother, and proud grandmother, was a strong, and devout Catholic. She was led by her faith and lived a life as a faithful servant to God. She was a member of the Legion of Mary at San Clemente Catholic Church in

Los Lunas. Taking a trip to Medjugorje to practice her faith was one of her most cherished memories. If Alice said, “she’d pray for you,” she meant it.

Beyond her servitude, was her unwavering love for her family. She was the matriarch that kept them whole. Her pure heart, sense of humor, and true care were felt and cherished by all. She was the best grandma of all time and never missed an opportunity to spend time with her children and grandchildren at family gatherings.

Her cooking was sought after, and her recipes were cherished. You’d never leave her home without a full belly and a satisfied appetite. She enjoyed gardening; growing flowers was her favorite. A trip to the casino was always in the works, Spanish music and good ol’ Elvis were her choices when it came time to listen to some tunes.

Alice’s instillment of her love and faith in others will remain forever, and she will be remembered and missed fondly.

Services for Alice will take place on Tuesday, April 22, at San Clemente Catholic Church. A visitation will take place at 8:30 a.m., followed by a Rosary at 9:30 a.m. Mass will be recited at 10 a.m. Alice will then be laid to rest at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Jake Duran, Donovan Duran, Brandon Hicks, John Michael Hicks, Nicholas Gabaldon, Christopher Gabaldon, Dylan Gabaldon and Josh Gabaldon. Honorary pallbearer is Hope Jaramillo.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Los Lunas Chapel, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.

Lars J. Helgeson, Ph.D.

Died 2025

In dignity and devotion, Lars J. Helgeson, beloved husband, father and teacher, passed away peacefully on Friday March 21, 2025, at the age of 86.

Born in Springfield, Ill., Lars lived in Nevada, California, North Dakota and, finally, in Rio Communities since 2015.

A graduate of Reno High School, Reno, Nev., Lars served honorably in the United States Navy, based in San Diego, Calif., as a medical surgical technician. Following his service, he attended San Diego State University receiving a BA in chemistry, then went on to attain two more graduate degrees and completed his academic training at UCLA with a Ph.D. in curriculum development.

Lars was a lifelong learner and teaching science was what excited him throughout his long career, which he maintained until the age of 85.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, for which he held many in California, including science coordinator for the County Office of Education in San Diego, Lars possessed a diverse range of interests and talents. He was a gifted public speaker, a lover of animals, a gardener, a beekeeper, a photographer and horse rancher along with his wife of 35 years, Leslie.

The two spent 21 years in North Dakota, where Lars became a full professor at the University of North Dakota.

Lars was preceded in death by his father, Lars E. Helgeson; his brother, Douglas Helgeson; and his mother and stepfather, Lucille and Dewey Devenport.

Lars is survived by three children.

Those who knew Lars will always see him smiling in their mind’s eye. He had a positive effect on students, because he held a deep love in his faith for God.

A memorial service is being planned in San Diego, Calif., with final internment at Forrest Lawn, Los Angeles, Calif.

Olivia Garcia Pino

1933-2025

Olivia Garcia Pino, age 91, a life long resident of Belen, peacefully passed away at her daughters’ home, Cindy Sanchez, in Adelino.

Services will take place on Friday, April 25, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., with a Rosary to be recited at 10 a.m., with the Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m.

Olivia will be laid to rest with her late husband, Eusebio Pino, at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 12:30 p.m., Monday, April 28.

Pallbearers will be her loving grandchildren, Karrie and Ricardo Sanchez, Robert, Justin, Jeremy, David and Jacob Pino and Dante Renteria.

Olivia was a member of our Lady of Belen Catholic Church. She loved the outdoors and she never missed a chance to go fishing and camping with family and friends. Her kids always remembered going to Barstow, Calif., every year with their mom and dad to visit family.

Olivia was a bus driver for Belen Consolidated Schools for 33 years. She was known as a stern but fair bus driver and, throughout the years, the kids who were already grown approach her to see if she remembered them.

Olivia was an awesome cook and she passed down her recipes to her daughter, Cindy, and to anyone else who would ask for them.

Eusebio and Olivia were inseparable and everything they did, they did together. Olivia loved to sing and she passed that passion on to her children, who up until her last days she would break out in song. Her most memorable song was “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” along with many Spanish classics.

Olivia was preceded in death by her loving husband, Eusebio Pino; son, Leroy; parents, Antonio and Fermina Madrid Garcia; son-in-law, Richard Sanchez; siblings, Melina Chavez (Adan), Amalia Chavez (Arturo), Marcelino (Helen), Leo Garcia and Priscilla Gabaldon.

She is survived by her two children, her loving son, Bobby, and the mother of their three boys, Barbara Wilmore, loving and devoted daughter and caregiver for many years, Cindy Sanchez; daughter-in-law, Marlene Pino Chavez Zamora (Marty); eight loving grandchildren and her many loving great grandchildren; her siblings, Maryanne Abeyta, Tony (Oralia) and Pat Garcia; sister-in-law, Trudy Garcia; and many loving nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to Raquel Amestoy for helping care for Olivia.

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

Douglas Rae Richardson

1970-2025

On April 5, 2025, Douglas Rae Richardson, 55, of Belen, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ due to complications from pneumonia.

Doug was born in Roswell, N.M., on Jan. 25, 1970, to Ron and Marilyn Richardson.

Doug graduated from Caminiti Exceptional School in Tampa, Fla. He never met a stranger. Outgoing and curious, he loved people.

He enjoyed making art, listening to music, making people laugh, going on outings with his housemates and staff of the Los Lunas Community Program. Before entering LLCP in 1998, he traveled with his father, sharing many exciting times in Scotland and England and around the United States.

Doug’s family included all his team, case managers, therapists, house managers and staff and administrative staff — and they supported his goals in order to achieve the best possible life.

Doug was predeceased by his mother, Marilyn Saxon; his maternal and fraternal grandparents, and a treasured aunt, Louise Richardson of Greenfield, Mass; and treasured bonus grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Shumate, of Roswell.

Leaving behind to cherish his memory are his father and step mother, Ronald and Diane Richardson, of Kernersville, N.C.; sister, Kelly Frazier (Rob), of Temple, Texas; and bonus sister, Rachel Gonzalez (Eddie) of Kissimmee, Fla.

Services were held on Wednesday, April 16, at First United

Methodist Church, Belen, with Pastor Joe MacDonald officiating.

Many were touched by Doug’s life. He was under the care of Los Lunas Community Program since 1998, and gave joy and laughter to “oh so many” staff and roommates, and also to “oh so many” outside of his home.

Special thanks and appreciation to all prior and current LLCP employees, staff, therapists and management. You made Doug’s life one of fulfillment and happiness.

Donations in Doug’s name can be made to Special Olympics, 6600 Palomas Ave NE No. 207, Albuquerque, NM, 87109.

Doug was involved in Special Olympics and enjoyed it very much. Doug truly “lit up” so many lives with his contagious smile and up-front friendly disposition.

The family is deeply grieved by his sudden “going home,” but elated that he is now free from all pain and suffering, and is rejoicing, talking and laughing in Heaven with God.

George Winters

1941-2025

With sadness the Winters family announces that George Winters, born May 15, 1941, age 83, passed peacefully surrounded by family in his home in northern Nevada on April 3, 2025.

George is survived by his wife of 63 years, Peggy; and their three children, Suzanne Chennault (Eric), Thomas Winters (Jennifer) and Kimberly Portillo (Andy); and five grandchildren, Jake, Michael, Tanya, Kyleigh and Tyler; sisters, Barbara and Linda (Chris) and brothers-in-law, Bob (Marianne) and Rich; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Dorothy Winters; siblings, Dorothy and Jan and brother-in-law, James.

George was born and raised in New York, moving to New Mexico to raise his family in 1976, relocating to northern Nevada in 2018 with his wife to live with their daughter and son-in-law.

George was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and mentor. He was a natural born teacher with the patience of a saint. He thrived on teaching anyone who showed an interest in learning, regardless of their age or ability.

He believed deeply in working with your hands and excelled in teaching the building trades. As an educator and advisor, his wisdom and patience guided many students at Belen High School and the University of New Mexico-Valencia Campus.

After his formal teaching days, he took on the position of apprentice director with the state of New Mexico Department of Education, writing and implementing secondary and vocational education programs that were implemented not only in New Mexico, but across the United States.

George had many hobbies, some of which included building race cars and restoring classic vehicles. He was an active member of the Belen and Carson City, Nev., Model Railroad Clubs, having built model trains as a young boy and carrying that passion until he passed.

He took great joy in doing jigsaw puzzles and watching any form of racing he could find.

We were blessed to have had him in our lives for as long as we did. He will be missed but forever in our hearts.