Alicia M. Velazquez-Mendez

Alicia M. Velazquez-Mendez, 61, of Manhattan, Kansas, passed away Friday, August 2, 2013 at Mercy Regional Health Center, Manhattan. Alicia was born August 29, 1951 in Caguas, Puerto Rico, the daughter of Leonides Velazquez and Rosario Mendez. She grew up in Caguas and later graduated from Huertas Junior College with an Associate’s degree in Secretarial. She was once married to Hiram Torres Sr. Alicia had lived in the Wamego and Manhattan areas since 2007. Alicia worked as a custodian specialist for Kansas State University. She enjoyed sewing, knitting and traveling. Most importantly she loved spending time with her family and grandchildren. Alicia was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses of Manhattan. Alicia is survived by her parents: Leonides and Rosario of Puerto Rico; two daughters: Alicia Torres and husband Jay of Wamego and Sonia Paz-Torres and husband Michael of Garden City, Kansas; one son: Hiram Torres of Manhattan; two sisters: Julia Caballero and husband Nestor and Gladys Velazquez both of Puerto Rico and seven grandchildren: Louis, Alysha, Joseph, Kelly, Melissa, Byron and Shane. She was preceded in death by her two brothers: Lionel and Nestor and one grandson: Jordan. Funeral services for Alicia will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 7, 2013, at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego. Burial will follow at the Wamego City Cemetery. Alicia will lie in-state beginning at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, with a visitation being held from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alicia Velazquez-Mendez Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.