Ana Maribel Ponce, 62, of Ulysses, died Sunday, December 8, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan.
She was born May 9, 1962, in Xicotencatl, Tamaulipas, Mexico, the daughter of Antonio Ponce Rodriguez and Maria de los Angeles Cortez Reyes.
As the owner and operator of Little Stars Day Care in Ulysses for 28 years, Ana loved and touched the lives of many children.
She was very active at Country View Baptist Church where she was a member for several years and loved sharing the word of God with everyone, singing to God and serving the community. She conducted Spanish classes at the church for anyone who was interested in learning.
Ana loved spending time and traveling with her family and grandchildren. She also enjoyed cooking, tasting delicious meals, trying new things, and shopping. She was a plant lover and loved to share and trade plants. She enjoyed receiving cuddles and support from her favorite dog, Chicka Lady. Ana will be remembered for being very creative.
Ana is survived by her daughters: Annabelle Rodriguez Ponce, Hayward, Calif., Elizabeth Rodriguez, Orlando, Fla., Ashley Gibbons, Ulysses, and Angela Ponce, Waco, Texas; siblings: Victoria Villegas, Redwood City, Calif., Elizabeth Perez, Ulysses, Pedro Ponce, Ulysses, Jose Antonio Ponce, Mendez, Mexico, Felipe Ponce, Mendez, Mexico, Francisco Ponce, Redwood City, Calif., Alejandro Ponce, Ulysses, Noe Ponce, East Palo Alto, Calif., Rolando Ponce, Mendez, Mexico, Mauricio Ponce, Houston, Texas; and seven grandchildren: Dakota, Edwin, Eli, Mackenzie, Brody, Ollie and Milo.
Ana is preceded in death by her parents, Antonio and Maria Rodriguez; sister, Elizabeth Perez; and brother, Francisco Ponce.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Friday, December 13, at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses.
Praise service will be at 6 p.m., Friday, December 13, at Country View Baptist Church.
Funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, December 14, at Country View Baptist Church, with Pastor James Berry officiating.
Interment will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Ana Maribel Ponce Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880.
Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.
