Margaret (Maggie) De La Torre passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026.
She was born September 16, 1928, in Chanute, Kansas, to Nicolas and Leonor (Villasenor) Alonzo. She graduated from Chanute High School in 1947 and was the class salutatorian.
Maggie married Jose Crespin De La Torre on January 8, 1949, recently celebrating 77 years of wedded life.
Maggie worked different jobs, but the two jobs she loved most and the ones she is best known for were being the secretary at St. Patrick’s School for eight years and then the secretary at Lincoln School for 18 years before retiring.
A lifetime member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Maggie was deeply involved with parish life. She was very active in the St. Patrick’s Altar Society and Harvest House. She was also active in R.S.V.P. and a member of the VFW Auxiliary.
A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Maggie enjoyed family gatherings, especially the Alonzo Family Reunions and holiday gatherings. She also enjoyed following her children’s and especially her grandchildren’s activities.
She is survived by her husband of 77 years, Jose Crespin De La Torre, Chanute; her children, Michael (Anita) of Chanute, Phillip (Pat) of Lawrence, Kansas, Steven (Vicki) of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Julie Bright (Eddie) of Derby, Kansas. Eleven grandchildren, Jeffrey De La Torre (Angie), Christopher De La Torre (Diane), Brian De La Torre (Lauren), Edward De La Torre, Danny De La Torre (Meagan), Ryan De La Torre, Isaac De La Torre (Paige), Kylie Grossnicklaus (Whitney), Stephanie Witt (Brian), Allison McDowell (Joe), Emily Conner (Derrick), 17 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great- grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, Ralph, Tony, Refugio, and John; seven sisters, Cuca Marquez, Juanita Cabrera, Grace Alonzo, Belen Savedra, Tillie Gonzalez, Mary Gobea, and Victoria Quintana. Maggie is the last of the original Alonzo family that has meant so much to St. Patrick’s School and Church and the city of Chanute.
The rosary will be recited at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 28th at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Visitation will be held following the rosary until 7:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m on Thursday, January 29th at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, followed by interment at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s Church. Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home.
Maggie will be remembered for her devotion to her family and to her church, her wonderful smile, and the kindness and love she shared with everyone, especially the children at St. Patrick’s School and Lincoln School when she served as secretary.
