GREAT BEND —Geneva Aurora Samora, 91, of Great Bend, formerly of Cherryvale, died Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. She was born to Matiana and John Castorena, on May 15, 1924, in Buffalo. Geneva was the sixth of seven children, born to Matiana and John.
Geneva was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She provided outside of the home, however her love was first and foremost, for her family. She was a nurturer, loved to cook and always was a gracious soul to feed others, making sure everyone was comfortable. She loved plants, big band music and the Catholic religion.
Geneva grew up during the depression. As a young woman, she worked in the defense industry at Boeing, fulfilling her patriotic duties building ammunition for World War II. She married Arthur Perez in 1945 and had three sons, Paul, Louis, and Phillip Perez. She was widowed in 1952.
She married Ruben Samora on September 5, 1953, and they had seven children. They were members of St. Francis Xavier Church, Cherryvale, St James Parrish, Augusta, St. Johns, Hoisington, and All Saints of Wichita.
Geneva raised her family in Augusta, from 1956 to 64, then moved to Hoisington in 1968, where they resided until 1982. Her and Ruben lived in Wichita, and retired in Cherryvale, where they lived until her husband’s, Ruben’s death in 2008. Geneva resided in Towanda, then in Great Bend since 2009.
Survivors include three sons, Paul Perez, his wife, Cindy, and Louis Perez, his wife Dana of Augusta; daughter-in law, Judy Samora, Wichita (wife to deceased son, Richard Samora), and Phillip Perez of Wichita; six daughters, Gloria Zorn, her husband, Ed, of Towanda, Anna Pierce, her husband, Al of Hoisington, Vicky Harmon, her husband, Larry of Hoisington, Teresa Wadsworth of Wichita, Mabel Adams, her husband, Nelson, of Hoisington, and Rita Burns, her husband, Chris, of Hoisington; thirty grandchildren, forty-seven great grandchildren and two great-great children, and countless lifelong friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Juan and Matiana Castorena, Five brothers; Frank Lopez, Octavio Castorena, Salvador Castorena , John Castorena, and Alfred Castorena, sisters; Phyllis Lopez and Mary Bernal, husband; Ruben Samora; son, Richard Samora, son-in-law; Brian Wadsworth, Great grand-daughter, Paula Perez, Great grandsons: Justin Wade Burns, and Donovon Riojas.
The Rosary/Viewing will be recited Monday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, in Hoisington, Mass of Christian burial will be Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Cherryvale, followed by the burial at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery, Cherryvale.
The family suggests memorials to the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Cherryvale.
Funeral Arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home
415 N Main St,
Hoisington, KS 67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune Dec. 5, 2015