Eli N. Mascarenas

United States Air Force MSgt Retired Eli N. Mascareñas, 89, died peacefully on Sunday, February 28, 2021, at the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield, Kansas. A resident of Wichita, KS, for 51 years. Eli was a Korean and Vietnam War Veteran, who proudly served his country with honor and dedication. He held many positions while in the military for 24 years. From aircraft maintenance, to a logistician, mortuary affairs, and lastly Base Services. He continued to help military service members by volunteering to be a Board Member to create a McConnell AFB Memorial Veterans park/walk. He was a long-time member of the American Legion, who donated to many charities especially the American Indian Education Foundation. He started a second career helping set up a continuing education program for Columbia University (extension program) in Wichita as an administrator/advisor for active duty and military veterans. He also worked for Friends University as the admissions officer until retiring from Friends after 21 years. Eli was extremely proud he was able to assist the lives of his students to reach their dreams. Many students would call out his name as they received their diplomas which humbled and fulfilled his destiny. Eli never met a stranger, always saying hello, saying a few words of kindness, or jokes especially to veterans. As the story goes, our mother fell in love with our dad in High School because he was a good Christian, handsome, gentle, kind, a good basketball player, and also a great oratory for their High School. He never wavered far from this. His true love was his birthplace, “The Land of Enchantment.” He is the 15th generation from Spain who came to North America to settle and start a new Colony. Coincidentally, his first ancestors came to Kansas looking for the City of Gold, since it was never found the colonists moved to Northern New Mexico. Eli fulfilled the full circle of life as his ancestors did. He is missed so terribly. Preceded in death by the love of his life of 69 years his wife Maria Flora Mascareñas; son, Carlos Mascareñas; grandchild, Aaron Riebel; parents, Elizardo and Filomena Mascareñas; sisters, Tiovita (Joe) Montoya; baby brother, Nelson Mascareñas; Rafaelita (Eliseo) Borrego; Otilia Apodaca; Alice Romero; Fabiola Rendon; Lillian Mascareñas; sister-in-law Naomi Mascareñas. Survived by brother, Clarence Mascareñas and sister, Ruth (Demetro) Ortega. Survived by his daughters, Doris (Gary) Riebel, Deborah (Greg) Palmer, Dolores (Paul) Bartlett; nine grandchildren, Chad (Rachelle) Palmer, Matthew Palmer, April Palmer, Leann (Weston) Skiles, Shannon (Jeremy) Duncan, Andréa (Devin) Mauck, Amanda (Johnny) Vargas, Crystal (Wayne) Bartlett; fifteen Great-Grandchildren, Caleb (Taylor) Palmer, Riley Palmer, Lilly Palmer, Payge Palmer, Xandria Palmer, Ashten Palmer, Zaxon Palmer, Abriella Palmer, Chance Walch, Ryker Walch, Reagen Palmer, Ian Duncan, Ellie Swafford, Vivian Skiles, Timothy Hopkins; one Great-Great-grandchild, Scarlett Palmer and too many to count nieces and nephews. Memorial Service will be at 1:00 pm, Saturday, March 6, 2021, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Interment will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, in New Mexico. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with: Good Shepherd Hospice of Wellington, 1323 N. A St., Wellington, KS, 67152. Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.