Lydia Estrada

Lydia (Hernandez) Estrada, 86, of Newton, Kansas, passed away on June 27, 2024. She was born on January 28, 1938, in Wichita, Kansas, to parents Guadalupe and Carolina (Juarez) Hernandez.

Lydia graduated from St. Mary’s Cathedral High School and later attended Wichita State University. She met her first love, Peter Estrada Sr., in high school during a basketball game at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and they married on May 5, 1955, in Kansas City, Missouri. Lydia and Pete were together for almost four decades until his passing. Together, they raised four children in Newton.

Lydia is survived by her daughters Patrice Olais (Raymond) of North Newton, DiAnne Decker (Ronald) of Newton, and Christine Alvarez of Wichita, and daughter-in-law Donna Estrada of Hutchinson. She is also survived by siblings Margaret Schulte, Veronica Hernandez, and Maria Agosto of Wichita; Armida Hernandez and Lupe Hernandez of Pueblo West, Colorado; Reginald Hernandez of Laverne, California; Jamie Hernandez of Dodge City, Kansas; Phillip Hernandez of Hutchinson, Kansas; in-laws Martina Montano, Josie Palmer, Larry Estrada, and Salvador Estrada; and her companion, Phillip Kelly.

She is preceded in death by her husband, her son Pedro Estrada Jr., her grandson Ramon Estrada, her great-great-grandson Izaiah Martinez, and her sister, Amelia Arellano. 

As a loving grandmother, Lydia loved her 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Always on the move, Lydia enjoyed bowling in Mexican-American tournaments, attending Mexican dances, and going country line dancing, where she met Phillip later in life. She will be remembered as a wonderful cook (but not a baker) and was always resourceful in the kitchen; she could make a meal from anything. She made delicious homemade tortillas and enchiladas, which she graciously gifted to her children and grandchildren, and cemented the family tradition of making tamales at Christmas.

Lydia was a faithful member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. She was instrumental in Newton’s early fiestas, served as a religious education teacher, helped with the Catholic Youth Organization, was a member of the Altar Society, and volunteered during the early days of the Newton Mexican-American Fastpitch Softball Tournament.

In her professional life, Lydia worked at The Coleman Company, Inc., the Halstead Hospital as an audio-visual technician, and schools in Hesston and Newton, where she retired.

All are welcome to join in remembering Lydia’s life on Wednesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe. There will be a viewing at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and Mass at 11 a.m. Lunch will be served immediately following the Mass. The graveside interment will take place at a later date. Donations in memory of Lydia can be made to the Caring Hands Humane Society or the Wounded Warrior Project.