Esther Viveros

Esther was born on July 9, 1928 in Quiroga, Michoacan (Mexico). She was the third of five children of Jose and Esther Medina. Her mother passed away when she was six years old and her father boarded the five children at a local nun's convent. Her father remarried and with her stepmother had six more children. The entire family lived in a large eighteen room house along with her father's sister, Maria who helped take care of the children. After high school, she graduated from a business school and had a rewarding career as an executive secretary for the postmaster in Morelia, Michoacan.

She met the love of her life, Octavio Viveros while she was working at the post office, and after two years of dating, they were married in 1955. Her husband, Octavio always wanted to return to live in the Kansas City area where he had grown up. While Esther very much liked and grew to be thankful for moving to the United States, it was difficult for her without any extended family support and having to learn a new language and new customs. She became a proud citizen of the United States on February 27, 1973.

Esther and Octavio moved to Roeland Park, Kansas in 1963 where they raised their eight children with many friends nearby. They lived within walking distance of St. Agnes Parish and Bishop Miege High School, which is where the family spent much of their time. Esther was a devout Catholic and was involved in the Guadalupe group, the Catholic Cursillos and St. Agnes parish. She enjoyed knitting baby hats and booties for her grandchildren and for St. Agnes auctions. She also enjoyed traveling to visit family that lived in other parts of the United States and Mexico. She especially enjoyed memorable trips to Niagara Falls and to Spain.

Esther most enjoyed hosting family get-togethers at their home and spending time making memories with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved holidays together and visits with family and friends and all the celebrations that come with a large family. She enjoyed playing games and watching the kids playing together and jumping on their trampoline. She also enjoyed teaching her kids and grandkids how to knit, crochet and sew. For many years, she treasured Saturday breakfasts with close friends.

The year 2017 brought about a big change in her life. After 53 years in Roeland Park, Esther and her husband, Octavio moved to Welstone at Mission Crossing in Mission, KS, an independent living community. There they made many more new friends and were involved in new activities. She lost her husband of 69 years in July 2024. In March of 2025, there was another big change in Esther's life as she moved to Villa St. Francis, a Catholic long term care community in Olathe, KS.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Octavio; her parents, Jose and Esther Medina; and by nine of her siblings: Jose, Conchita, Tere, Jorge, Miguel, Rafael, Guadalupe, Eugenio, and Gabriel. She was also preceded by her son, Octavio Viveros, Jr. and her daughter-in-law Pamela Growe. She is survived by her sister, Mary and seven children: Esther Viveros, Mary Soots (Richard Crooks), Sylvia (Kurt) Gruenbacher, Theresa (John) Whiteside, Martin Viveros, Rose (Tom) Rheinberger, Christine (Willie Halliburton) Viveros as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family members who will miss her dearly.

Donations may be made to: Monastery of Perpetual Adoration, 145 N. Cotton St. El Paso, TX 79901-1752