Elizabeth Gonzales

*  Video Tribute Can Be Viewed Below  * Elizabeth Gonzales, 97, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at her home in Spearfish, SD where she was cared for by her oldest grandson, William Michael Walker. The funeral service will be held 2pm Wednesday, February 28, 2017 at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place in Newhall, California at the Eternal Valley Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are preferred for a special fund at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center. Elizabeth was born March 20th, 1920 in San Fernando, CA to Frank and Rose (Martinez) Ballestero. The oldest of seven children, Elizabeth, also known as “Lizzy” was the only daughter. She spent most of her childhood helping her mother care for her younger brothers and the many foster children that came into their home. They would spend their summers picking fruit for spending money. Elizabeth met the love of her life in grade school, Mike Gonzales. Her protective, father allowed her to start dating Mike at the age of sixteen and they married when she was twenty-one years old on June 15th, 1941. Their marriage survived everything the world would throw at them, including World War II. Elizabeth waited for Mike to return from war in a one room home. It was all they had, but all they needed. Mike and Elizabeth were married seventy years on this earth before his death in 2012. During that time, he taught her to drive a vehicle, they traveled around the country and they built a loving family. Elizabeth gave birth to their daughter, Geraldine, on February 26th 1950 at the same hospital in San Fernando that both Mike and Elizabeth entered this world in. In 1963, they added to their family with the adoption of Ginger Kathleen. Elizabeth spent most of her life in Sylmar, CA. She loved to garden, attend church and be with her family. All five of her grandchildren referred to her as “mom” instead of grandma. She is known for keeping a clean house, making the best enchiladas and tamales and quoting scripture over and over. Spring was her favorite season because it meant the flowers would bloom. Elizabeth is survived by her daughter, Geraldine (William L.) Walker of Belle Fourche as well as her adopted daughter, Ginger Kathleen Hopkins-Holmes (Alan) of Hawaiian Gardens CA. Grandchildren, William Michael Walker, Ginger Renee (Jon) Eiss, Jennifer Beth (Cliff) Crawford, Amber Rose Hopkins and Anthony Parker Hopkins. Along with great-grandchildren, Heather Kay Walker, Rachel Walker, Rebecca Walker, Gavin Walker Eiss, Lorelai Renee Eiss and many nieces, nephews and beloved friends. Funeral Service 2:00 P.M. – Wednesday – March 21, 2018 Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills Belle Fourche, South Dakota   Officiant – Pastor Mark Chaplin   Music “Hallelujah” – by Rebecca Walker “Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)”, “How Great Thou Art”, “It is Well” (Recorded)   Funeral Service March 7th, 2018 Village Church Santa Clarita, California   Interment Eternal Valley Memorial Park Cemetery Newhall, California