Maria Lara

Maria Magdalena Lara

March 21, 1941 – September 17, 2025

Maria Magdalena Lara, 84, of Lago Vista, Texas, was called home to the Lord on September 17, 2025, after courageously battling Dementia/Alzheimer's, an ugly disease that slowly took her from the family she so dearly loved. She was born in Laredo, Texas, on March 21, 1941, to Alejandro Marroquin and Margarita Garza and was lovingly raised by her maternal grandmother Aurora Lopez.

Maria graduated from Martin High School in 1961, where she sang in the choir and cheered with the pep squad. On April 17, 1966, she married her high school sweetheart, Antonio Lara, and together they shared 59 years of love and devotion.

She worked many years in retail before dedicating herself to raising her daughters. As a stay-at-home mom, Maria was a Brownie leader, Girl Scout leader, talented cook, crafter, seamstress, and faithful "taxi driver" to her children. Later, she returned to the workforce, working for some time at a greenhouse and later as a custodian for a factory.

Maria had a green thumb and a true passion for gardening. She really enjoyed tending to her plants and flowers, nurturing them with the same love and care she gave to her family. Above all, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose presence was a blessing to all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Alejandro Marroquin and Margarita Garza, her grandmother Aurora Lopez and her sister, Violeta Cerda.

Maria is survived by her husband, Antonio Lara; daughters Linda Turk (Dennis), Sandra Hooton (Brian), and Meliza Guhl; grandchildren Amanda Torres, Christian Torres, Marisa Torres, Shawn Ritzke (Brittney), Hayden Hooton, Natalia Guhl, and Nathaniel Guhl; great-grandchildren Nevaeh Garcia, Paige Boon, Emma Brown, Evelyn Ritzke, Nialeia Gonzales, and Gabriel Guerrero. She is also remembered with love by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Maria's legacy of love, faith, and family will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Services

• Visitation: Friday, September 26, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. at Beck Funeral Home, 1700 E. Whitestone Blvd, Cedar Park, Texas 78613. A Rosary will follow from 6:00–7:00 p.m.

• Funeral Mass: Saturday, September 27, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 6100 Lohmans Ford Rd., Lago Vista, Texas 78645.

• Burial: Following the Mass at Bagdad Cemetery, 400 N. Bagdad Rd., Leander, Texas 78641.

• Reception: A bereavement gathering will follow back at the church.