Stella’s 100th Birthday

Contributed by Fred Maestas & Anna Benedict

We are very proud to announce that Stella Maestas will be a new member of the centenarian club as she turns 100 at the end of May. She is currently a resident at the Veteran’s Pioneer Home in Palmer.

She was born in Olathe, Colorado in 1921 to Teodoro and Sofia Baca on a farm. She was the baby of the family with four brothers and sisters. She attended school in Olathe and graduated high school in 1938.

She met her future husband, Fred, soon after graduating at St. Patrick’s Day dance in Montrose, Colorado. It was March 17, 1939 and that was the beginning of their romance. On December 8, 1940, they were married and spent the next 80 years as a happy couple, which was a milestone too. Sadly, Fred passed away in January 2021 with Stella by his side.

During their marriage, the had three children: Nancy (who passed away in 1948), Fred Jr. and Anna. The family started to grow, with the marriage of Anna to Kevin and then Fred Jr. to Marlun. Anna and Kevin had two children, Jarret and Kyle. Fred Jr. and Marlun had three children, Michelle, Janice and Michael, giving them five grandchildren. Then came the great grandchildren, Jack, Jace, Avery, Jaden and Oliver. The grandchildren and great grandchildren are the greatest joy to Stella.

We all continue to keep in contact with Stella through video chats, pictures, cards and visits. It is a blessing to have Stella with us to love and be loved by her.

We are delighted and thankful to be a part of this significant event as Stella enters a new century of life and wish her many more years of health and happiness.

Love you,
Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma