Lola Gonzalez

Marie D. Gonzalez- “Lola”, 81 of Topeka, passed away Saturday June 13th, 2026. She was born October 6th, 1944, in Topeka, KS, the daughter of Florencio and Luisa (Rocha) Valdivia.

Lola married Ediberto J. Gonzalez, Sr. on September 4, 1965 in Topeka, Kansas. Survivors include her Husband, Ediberto J. Gonzalez, Sr, two daughters, Theresa (Roger) Gonzales, Patricia (Chris) Rocha and one son, Ediberto J. Gonzalez, Jr.

Lola has two granddaughters, LeTicia Gonzalez (Armand) Eich, Bridget (Angelo) Mendoza, five grandsons, Michaelangelo (Fiancé - Brooke) Rocha, Christopher Rocha, Jr., Logan Rocha, Brandon Rocha, Gabriel M. Gonzales and two great grandsons, Julius Thompson and Kemper Eich. Lola is also preceded in death by her granddaughter Elena Marie Gonzales.

Lola has three brothers, John (Nancy) Valdivia, Florencio Valdivia, Augustine (Kathy) Valdivia; two sisters, Virginia (Joseph) Gonzales, and Patricia Farias and Sister In-law Isabel Valdivia. Also survived by Lola are her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her Father, Florencio Valdivia, Mother, Luisa Valdivia, Brother, Rito Valdivia, Brother, Paul R. Valdivia, Brother, Christopher Valdivia, and Brother Ricardo Valdivia, Sister In-Law Martha Valdivia, Sister In-Law Mary Valdivia, and Brother In-law Angel Farias.

Marie Dolores was called “Lola” and her brothers each had a nickname and she was given the name “Hollywood.” Only close friends over the years used it. She attended Our Lady of Guadalupe School till 1959 and went on to graduate from Hayden High School in 1963.

She worked various part-time jobs during school, elevator operator, then Frito Lays, then Seymour’s. She worked at Duffen’s Optical for 30 years then Security Benefit for 8 years before taking retirement.

She was very active in supporting Our Lady of Guadalupe School and Church and danced in Fiesta programs while in school then ran for Fiesta Queen in 1964. She was the Princess for that year and since has volunteered in various roles. She helped prepare the tamales prior to the fiesta and then worked in the Kitchen during the fiesta. She also performed as a member of Folklórico Topekano later known as Ballet Folklorico de Topeka. She helped manage various needs of the ballet from dancing, costume manager, chaperone to cooking, managing fundraising activities till today's First Friday fundraising food sales in the Ballet's Studio in the NOTO Arts District. She was the First Mother of the Ballet and Second Mother to the dancer’s of the Ballet Folklorico for over 50 years.

She is a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Ladies Altar Society and was named Mother of the Year 2025. She volunteers during funeral dinners and is active with a Thursday women’s Lunch group. She enjoys collecting dolls from various states of Mexico and international Santa Claus.

She mentioned seeing her future spouse catching the bus to Topeka High School carrying his trombone and meeting him for the first time during a family celebration at the “Lucky 5 Restaurant” during a dance night, then two weeks later at a Meadow Acres wedding dance. From high school they dated, got married, had a family and traveled. As members of a National Folklorico organization, they traveled to conferences around the United States and various states around Mexico. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in Peru and then toured from Spain through Italy for three weeks. They celebrated their 60th anniversary with a church blessing and looked forward to life and celebrations based on their marriage vows.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 9-10:30 A.M., followed by a parish rosary being prayed at 10:30 A.M., at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow and be celebrated at 11:00 A.M., at the church.

Memorial contributions can be made in Lola'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 Lola's memorial webpage at www.brennanmathenafh.com.

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