Manuela Salazar "Mela" Vargas

Manuela "Mela" Salazar Vargas Manuela "Mela" Salazar Vargas, 92, joined her beloved husband, Maximo, on his birthday, March 12, 2008, surrounded by her children. Mela was born on June 19, 1915, in Linares, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. She was raised in Pharr, Texas, and married Maximo Vargas in Pharr on Oct. 7, 1933. The family migrated between Pharr, Texas and Wilder, Idaho until 1954, when they decided to stay in Wilder permanently. Mela had been raised as an only child by two elderly aunts and very early decided that her children would never be lonely - so she had eight of them - Juanita, Ramiro, Maximo Jr. (Nuno), Romeo, Amparo, Alicia, Margarita, and Ricardo (Rick). She has 23 grandchildren, numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Mela was an incredible woman who worked as a farm worker alongside her husband and children for several years. She worked for J. R. Simplot, retiring in 1979. Throughout her life, Mela was an active member of several working committees of St Hubert's Catholic Church in Homedale and St. Mary's in Caldwell. As an active member of the Caldwell Senior Citizens Center, she represented them on the Idaho State Senior Citizen Board. And after meeting all the necessary requirements, Mela proudly became a citizen of the United States of America at 78 years of age. Mela's love and support was the foundation for her children and grandchildren's success in life. Her compassion touched everyone she knew and she gave of herself to others in need as she strongly believed in and practiced the teachings of Jesus. Mela was preceded in death by her husband, two sons, and two grandsons. Visitation for family and friends will be on Sunday, March 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. with Rosary devotion at 7 p.m. at Dakan Funeral Chapel in Caldwell. Funeral mass will be on Monday, March 17, at 10:30 a.m., at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Caldwell. Interment will be at Canyon Hill Cemetery, Caldwell. Services are under the direction of Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. 459-3629.