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Juanita F. Ruiz, 92, beloved mother, grandmother, Tia and friend was called to her eternal home on November 24, 2025, at her home, surrounded by family.
Born to Placido Ordunez Fuentes and Josephina (Josefa) Granados Fuentes on November 30, 1932, in Alamogordo. Juanita was proud to be raised in “Chihuahuita” but was also very proud of her time “raising her babies” in Tularosa.
Juanita loved her Lord and family deeply and she never met a stranger. She was a big fan of “the casino”, garage sales and watching old westerns. She had an amazing gift to cook the best of anything. She made the best homemade tortillas until she retired when “Lowey’s”, as she called Lowe’s supermarket, made them ALMOST as good. Juanita worked many years, helping people. She was employed with Betty Dare Good Samaritan Center, Casa Arena Blanca and as a cook at the Otero County Council on Alcohol, before finding her true love of working with children at the HELP NM headstart.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Carlos, Placido, Seledonio, & Eduardo Fuentes; sisters: Adelina & Rufina Fuentes, Theresa Mirelez, Angelina Beckman & Rita Fuentes.
She is survived by her husband, Jesus “Chuy” Ruiz; her children: Christina Klinekole, Linda (Paul) Humphrey, Tony Telles, Gilbert (Juanita) Telles, Eddie Ray (Sylvia) Telles, Michael (Cora)Telles & stepdaughter, Mari Ruiz; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews & cousins. She is also survived by many special friends, including Lupe (Armando) Rivera & Tina “from Ken-tuuuuuh-cky” Van Metre.
The family would like to thank Dr. Heather and staff at Champion Cancer Center, for their care and compassion, as she “battled the monster”, as well as the staff at Las Palmas Medical Center. A special thank you to Delia Zapata and Jose Ruiz, along with the Ruiz family for their care and love.
Funeral Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 705 Delaware, in Alamogordo on January 9,2026 at 10:30 A.M., with burial to follow at the ICC cemetery.
A reception will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church hall after the graveside service.
