Maria Julia Valladares was born to late Antonio Montes and Lucila Funes. She was born in San Salvador, El Salvador on May 27th, 1932. She came from a very large and loving family of 6 brothers and 3 sisters. Coming from a large family would later make her have a large family of her own.

She married her best friend Tomas Valladares on February 13, 1953. They had 7 children together (Lillian Valladares, Julia Svendblad, Ana Bengtson, Pedro Valladares, Dina Giron, Tomas Valladares Jr, and Rafael Valladares.) They both had a heart of gold and raised 7 of their nieces and nephews. Without hesitation they opened up their door to them and raised them as their own.

They came to the USA in 1984. They both moved to the US to protect their family from the civil war that was occurring in El Salvador at the time. In 1989 Maria accepted Jesus Christ in her heart and became a follower of Jesus. She enjoyed serving the lord by teaching children at Sunday school. She also was very active as a soldier for the Salvation Army Church.

Maria was someone who devoted her life to Jesus Christ. She always was the one her husband and children could count on. Her heart and house were always open for others. She was always looking out for other’s needs. She was a wonderful testimony of a Jesus follower.

Maria is survived by her sons, Pedro, Tomas, and Rafael Valladares; her daughters Lillian Valladares, Julia Svendblad, Ana Bengtson, and Dina Giron; 15 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren; her two sisters Lucy Saenz and Carmen Ortiz. She is preceded in death by her husband Tomas, her sister Rosa Montes; her brothers Rafael, Antonio, Jesus, Luis, Francisco, and Roberto Montes, and her parents.

Now her children celebrate her promotion to glory.

Visitation will be Friday, January 13, 2023 from 10-11 am and Service will be at 11 am, all at The Salvation Army of Salina, 1137 N. Santa Fe, Salina. Burial will follow at the Elmwood Cemetery, Lindsborg, KS.