Josephine Obeso Urtuzuastegui

Josephine was born in Heber, California on September 9, 1923 and she died on February 18, 2014. Josephine was the widow of Charles N. Urtuzuastegui, one of the Urtuzuastegui Brothers who, together with their spouses, were pioneers in the founding and development of San Luis, Arizona beginning in the early 1950s. Josephine was the fourth child born to Margarita Silva and Pedro Obeso that eventually totaled nine brothers and sisters. She met the love of her life, Charles, in the late 1930s and they were married on June 20, 1941 settling in Somerton. Before Charles died in 2007, they had celebrated 65 years of married bliss.

Josephine was a strong, devoutly religious woman and was steadfast in her belief in family and her faith in Jesus Christ. Josephine believed that there was only one god to whom all prayed and that no religion had a monopoly on the path to Heaven so long as God led the way.

In her early married life, Josephine was invited to the Somerton Church of the Nazarene became a "born again" Christian and was very active in the Somerton Nazarene Church for over ten years. When her husband, Charles, who had been non-religious, had an epiphany and decided to joined the Catholic Church, Josephine, after much prayer, decided to join her husband and, together, they were committed and productive members of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Somerton for over thirty years. After Charles died in 2007, Josephine reflected on her life as a widow and began to more closely explore the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which was the faith of her mother and several sisters. Josephine read the Ensign and other church literature, shared her thoughts with her children and she prayed to God to lead the way. Josephine felt the calling and in 2010, after the death of her beloved son, Alex, Josephine was baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Yuma, Ninth Ward on August 21, 2011. Josephine was a faithful member of the Mormon Church until her death.

Throughout her religious experience, Josephine made many loyal friends that she cherished until her death. She filled her days as a wife, mother and grandmother, as an officer and leader in the various church choirs as well as volunteering as a Spanish interpreter with the women's auxiliary at Yuma Regional Medical Center. Josephine was straight and direct, some would say too direct, but there was no pretense and one always knew where she stood. Josephine believed in the empowerment of women, was a student of psychology and relished discussing those topics with friends.

She is preceded in death by her mother, father, her brothers Pete, Ray and Richard, sisters Ernestine, Clara and Margie as well as husband Charles, son Alex, and great-granddaughter Molly Urtuzuastegui. She is survived by her sons Robert, his wife, Rosa;Alex's wife, Sharon, and Charles/Lonee as well as her grandchildren Brion Urtuzuastegui, Lara (Andrew) Treguboff, Alexis Urtuzuastegui, Erica Urtuzuastegui, and Melisa Urtuzuastegui. She has two great grandsons, Will and Jack Urtuzuastegui. Josephine is also survived by two younger sisters, Gloria Urias and Lilly Johnson.

The family wishes to thank Josephine's capable caregivers, Elsa Ceballos, Maria Mendoza, Araceli Saldana and Christina Turnage, whose compassionate and professional care in her home, made her final year of life as comfortable as possible until the end.

A viewing will be held in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Somerton on Friday, March 7, 2013 beginning at 3 p.m with Mass to begin at 5:00 p.m. . Funeral Service Saturday March 8, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with Bishop Tim Best officiating at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Ninth Ward located at 4200 West 18th Street in Yuma, AZ 85364 and burial will follow at Desert Lawn Cemetery. All are welcome to attend either or both services. Sunday dress at the funeral is optional.

Pallbearers include Emilio Banuelos, Brandon Hales, Enrique Ramirez, Raymond Ruiz, Arthur Urtuzuastegui and Brion Urtuzuastegui,

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Yuma.

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria del Angel, Yuma, AZ.