Esperanza Barajas

Esperanza Barajas, age 85, of Topeka, KS, passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at the Midland Hospice House.

She was born the daughter of Panfilo and Jacienta (Lopez) Toledo on August 14, 1937, in Topeka, KS.

Esperanza married Jesus M. Barajas on August 18, 1962, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Jesus passed away on May 8, 1998, after 35 years of marriage.

She was a lifetime member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. She was active with Adoration, Altar Society, St. Augustine Guild, Third Order of St. Augustine, and helped with the Fiesta Mexicana in her younger years. She was a proud recipient as the “Mother of the Year” with the Altar Society. Esperanza’s hobbies included cooking, gardening, sewing, and photography. She was a homemaker taking care of her family and four children. Later in life, she worked for Jostens and was a Greeter for Walmart for 14 years.

Survivors include her one and only daughter, Margarita “Margie” Cervantez (Paul); three sons, Jaime Barajas, Jesus Barajas, Jr., (Raquel), and Javier Armando Barajas (Rebecca), all of Topeka; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren survive. Other survivors include her sisters, Alice Valdez, Ofelia Ortiz, and Angelina Serrano (Rudy).

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Leon Toledo, Antonio Toledo and infant brothers, Guadalupe and Jesus Toledo; as well as two sisters, Margaret Lopez and Virginia Toledo.

Esperanza will lie in state from 4:00-8:00 P.M., at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, on Thursday, November 10, 2022, with a Rosary at 5:30 P.M.  

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 11, at 10:00 A.M., at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery-Topeka.

Memorial contributions can be made in Esperanza's memory to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit, www.brennanmathenafh.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.