Obituaries (June 19, 2025)

Lugarda “Luge” Maria Gurule Aragon

1930-2025

Lugarda “Luge” Maria Gurule Aragon, born on April 11, 1930, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2025. She was blessed with 95 wonderful years here on earth!

Luge was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, in 2011, after 63 years of marriage, and her 17-year-old son, Joseph, who passed away in 1969. Luge was the final chapter of her generation in the Aragon/Gurule legacy.

Her parents, Juan and Teresa Gurule, raised Luge and her siblings, Eligia (Pete) Torres, Joe (Bertha) Gurule and Vangie (Hermenio) Molina at their family home in Peralta. Her marriage to Joe expanded her family to include her in-laws, Timoteo and Sinforosa Aragon, and their off-spring, Eugenia (Chester) nephew; Lydia (Benny) Tapia, Timoteo (Katalina) Aragon and Sinforosa (Johnny) Apodaca.

Luge is survived by her sons, Rudy (Tina) and Charles (Kathy). She was blessed with grandchildren, Angelica (Frankie), Santos (Christen), Isaac (Erin), Alexa, Danielle and Christina; and great-grandchildren Jadyn, Kamryn, Joseph, Kaimila, Eliana, Nico and Elijah.

Luge spent her 40+ year career working for the Los Lunas Schools. She spent the majority of that time as the highly-regarded secretary to several principals at Los Lunas High School. She eventually moved to the district office as a bookkeeper, where she developed her passion for numbers and accounting.

Luge became an avid runner during the mid 1970s, rising at 4:30 a.m. every morning to “hit the road” and greet the new day! She always marveled at the peace and tranquility of a morning run. Armed with a never-say-die attitude, she continued this practice for the remainder of her life, eventually turning to walking and finally to pushing her walker wherever she wanted to go.

Like most women of her generation, Luge was a fantastic cook. She could put a great meal together in no time, her specialties being the Gurule family’s famous red chile, caldito, arrozito and to sweeten things up, a pecan pie that was to die for!

Luge, a beautiful soul of humility and grace, was fully aware of the fact that the Good Lord had blessed her abundantly in every aspect of her life. She attended daily mass, for at least the past 30 years at her beloved Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Peralta, the same church in which she was baptized, confirmed, married and finally where we will celebrate her life.

Funeral services for Luge will be held at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Peralta on Monday, June 23, beginning with a viewing at noon, to be followed by a Rosary at 12:30 p.m., eulogy at 12:50 p.m. and a Funeral Mass at 1 p.m.

There will be a reception immediately following the mass at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Hall.

Interment will be held at the Veteran’s National Cemetery in Santa Fe at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 24.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Our Lady Of Guadalupe Catholic Church Building Fund.

Romero Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Rupert Gomez

1946-2025

Rupert Ralph Gomez, born to Carmen Roberts Gomez, of Jarales, N.M., and Abelicio Gomez, of Pueblitos, N.M., passed away on May 29, 2025, from a debilitating illness.

Rupert is survived by daughter, Dedra Marujo and three grandchildren; siblings, Jerry Gomez and Cynthia Gómez; brother-in-law, Vaughn Harris; Diane Martinez and Shirley Marks; four nieces, Samantha, Marisol, Margarita and Priscilla; six nephews, Abe, Robert, Jason, Vicente, Jesus and Christopher. Rupert was blessed with 15 great-nieces and nephews, and many treasured cousins who enriched his life.

Rupert is preceded by our beloved parents, Abelicio Gomez and Carmen Gomez; brother, Victor Gomez; sister-in-law Inez Gomez; two nephews, Nathaniel Gomez and Alfonso Morales; grandparents, Ruperto and Nicanora Gomez, Nieves and Frank Sanchez and Antonia and Pablo Chavez. May they receive him with open arms.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 20, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 3674 N.M. 47, Peralta, N.M.; reception to follow. Please join us!

The family would like to thank all of you for your kind thoughts and prayers. We appreciate you all.

Burial will be held Monday, June 23, at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Vaya con Dios, Rest in Peace, Rupert!

Dorothy Dolores (Montoya) Marta

1928-2024

In loving memory of Dorothy D. Marta, we gather to celebrate and remember her life.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Peralta Methodist Church. For full obituary, view online at noblin.com.

Joseph Morse

1954-2025

Too many people in Valencia County and Albuquerque who knew Joseph Morse, he was known simply as “The Ragman.”

On June 16, 2025, Elohiim called Joseph home as he passed away in his sleep, surrounded by his family in his Belen home, a month before his 71st birthday.

Joe ran “The Ragman” business for 38 years alongside his beloved wife, Gloria. The short, stocky man (he was generously listed at 5-foot) was known for his coveralls, his donegal “peddler” hat and his toothy smile.

Joseph was generous with his time and advice while also selling shop towels and tools. He was never afraid to get under the hood of a vehicle with a mechanic, grab food for his clients or lend an ear to a friend in need.

With a nose for entrepreneurship, Joseph operated three businesses during his lifetime — an Italian Ice bicycle stand, Agape Enterprises courier service and The Ragman.

Joseph had a deep and abiding relationship with Elohim. He was a cantor at Adat Yeshua and Olive Tree Synagogues over a 15-year period and led the Kehila B’Midbar Fellowship for five years. He called himself the “Cowboy Cantor” with business cards that read, ‘Have Torah, Will Travel.”

Born on July 16, 1954, to Charles and Sophia Morse, Joseph grew up in the Boston area and graduated from Brockton High School in 1972. He was known as an avid traveler, known to spend weeks on the road hitchhiking and visiting every state except for Hawaii and Alaska. He fell in love with New Mexico and set his roots in the Albuquerque area in 1978.

Joe loved to say he never made it to Hawaii because “I can’t walk on water,” and Alaska because “the mosquitoes are too big.”

Joe graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in geography and natural history in 1981. He met Gloria (Barron) in 1983 and married on Sept. 8, 1984. He helped raise her children, James Barron and Victoria Moore, and together had three daughters, Rachel (Perez), Rebecca (Goldstein) and Tryphena (Arbach).

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Harriet Jane Morse.

He is survived by his wife and children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, as well as brothers, Dennis Wade Morse and Henry Mitchell Morse.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 23, at Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque.

Christopher David Salcido

1980-2025

Christopher was a devoted father, a cherished son, a loving brother and a loyal friend.

He leaves behind his children, Olivia, Tobias, Jasmine and Cassandra; his parents, David and Peggy; his siblings, Adam, Elizabeth and Adrianna; and many nieces, nephews and loved ones whose lives were brighter because of him.

He had a heart full of love and a spirit that brought comfort, laughter, and strength to those around him. Though his time with us was far too short, the impact he made will last forever.

Gone too soon — but never forgotten. His love lives on in all of us.

A celebration of life will be from 12:30-4 p.m., Sunday, June 22, at the Los Padillas Community Center, 2117 Los Padillas Road SW, Albuquerque.