Conception Hererra

Conception “Cunie” Herrera, 81, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2018 at Midland House in Topeka.  She was born in Topeka, KS on July 6, 1937 to Tomas and Guadalupe Carreno. Cunie lived her life and raised her family on the same block in the Oakland area of Topeka.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Tomas and Guadalupe Carreno, as well as five brothers and five sisters.

Cunie is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, Flavio “Frank” Herrera, her two sons Andrew Herrera (Diana Kennedy), and Thomas Herrera, her three grandchildren Ryan Herrera (Erica), Johna Baker (Joshua), and Isabella Herrera, three great granddaughters Elizabeth and Abigail Herrera, and Shaylea Baker, and her daughter-in-law Cindy Herrera, the mother of Ryan and Johna.

Cunie is also survived by three sisters, Aurora “Lola” Gonzales, Jovita Mendoza, and Helen Hidalgo, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Cunie had a passion for cooking. Her sister Lola opened La Siesta Restaurant in 1955, where she worked as a waitress. Her and Frank took over La Siesta in 1977 and owned and operated it for 37 years until it’s closure in 2014. Cunie was known for her famous chili con queso sauce and her taco “our own”, which was made at La Siesta.  She loved getting to know her customers and had a sign above the kitchen door that said “Please come to kitchen & say Hello!”  Cunie also had a passion for talking and building close relationships with many people in the Topeka and Oakland community. She loved her family with a passion. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and above all an inspirational woman to many. Cunie will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. 

Cunie devoted her life to God and was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Oakland where she was a part of the altar society.