Stella Marie Risinger

Stella Marie Risinger passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family, Nov. 4, 2008. She was born to Esiquio and Josefina Apodaca Sanchez on Feb. 17, 1929, in Las Cruces, N.M.
After graduating from Holy Cross School in 1943, Stella spent her sophomore year of high school in La Jolla, Calif. She returned home to attend Las Cruces Union High School, where she was crowned basketball queen her senior year, graduating in 1947. After high school, she began working with the welfare office in Las Cruces as a stenographer. In 1952, she married Don Risinger, beginning a long, beautiful relationship and family.
Stella epitomized the dedicated mother of her generation, loving, beautiful and resourceful; she was tireless in providing for her family. Her support and encouragement was offered not only to her own children, but to anyone who came to her home. Everyone felt welcome - the Risinger house was a busy and fun place to be, with lots of good food and laughter. She also found time to work as a volunteer for the local Red Cross, going door-to-door soliciting donations, and also for the Holy Cross PTA. In her later years, showering grandchildren with love and attention provided great joy and satisfaction for Stella. She will be truly missed, but we take comfort in knowing that her spirit is at peace.
She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Don Risinger of the family home. Other survivors include son, Keith Risinger and wife, Laura; and son, Randy Risinger, all of Las Cruces; daughter, Romelle Nolden and husband, Casey, of Austin, Texas; daughter, Jenise Maxwell and husband, Ken, of Fredericksburg, Texas. Surviving grandchildren are Amy and Hannah Risinger of Las Cruces; Luke, Jordan and Katie Nolden of Austin, Texas; Kaitlyn, Sarah and Matthew Maxwell of Fredericksburg, Texas; and Ben Maxwell of San Marcos, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Beatrice Medina and Isabel Sanchez. Her oldest sister, Bonnie S. Montoya, passed recently on Nov. 13, 2008.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. in Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1327 N. Miranda with the Rev. Sean Garrity officiating. Inurnment of cremains will follow in the St. Francis Columbarium.
Our family would like to thank all the relatives and friends that provided so much love and support for Mom over the years. We would also like to thank Dr. Louis Benevento, Dr. Michael Keller, and the nursing staffs that provided Mom with healing and caring comfort. We are especially grateful to our cousin, Isabel Montoya, for the endless devotion of loving help, personal care and comfort she provided for Mom and Dad.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the following organizations (or charity of your choice): the Scleroderma Foundation, www.scleroderma.org, (800) 722-HOPE or Mesilla Valley Hospice, http://mvhospice.com, (575) 525-5757.
Entrusted to Baca's Funeral Chapels and Baca's Sunset Crematory. 527-2222.