Angela Puga

On a day with a promising sunrise, God in his mercy took a beautiful and loving woman to home in Heaven. Angela Puga, 90, with family around her, left this earth. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, and a strong and generous woman who blessed all who knew her. Of Caldwell, Idaho, Angela Puga died May 9, 2024, at home. Having recently been diagnosed with cancer, she chose to live her remaining months with her family. It gave her the opportunity to spend time or speak with her sons and daughters, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, sisters, relatives, and friends before her passing. Angela Ramirez (Puga) was born October 2, 1933, in Perera, Veracruz, Mexico, to Encarnacion Ramirez and Emelia Escalante. She was the seventh child of fourteen children, having seven brothers and six sisters, and raised on a farm. As a young woman she was beautiful with long black hair and green eyes. Her beauty, inside and out, never faded. She met and fell in love with Leobardo Puga, whom she married on September 29, 1949, in Edinburgh, Texas. From that point on, she devoted herself to him and the family they started in 1951. Their family grew from one son to six sons and two daughters. They spent their early years of marriage in Mission and McAllen, Texas, before they moved to Powell, Wyoming in 1954. During this time, she managed the household, helped with finances, and worked full time in the fields. She rose before dawn to cook meals, than she and her husband went to the fields with the children in tow. She returned in the evening to make dinner, wash clothes, bathe and feed her family before bed. Her love for her family was never-ending and her hard work ethic an inspiration. In May of 1966, the family moved to Idaho, making it their permanent home. She moved from fieldwork to employment at Simplot’s food processing plant. She continued raising her family, and also willing opened her home if others needed care. On December 8, 1987, she proudly obtained her United States citizenship in Boise, Idaho, just a few months after her husband. Angela’s authentic cooking was loved by anyone who ate at her home, and you could not be in her home without her offering you some. Everyone had different favorites, but all were delicious whether it was homemade tortillas, rice, beans, chicken mole, white cheese, or carne. Her Christmas tradition of making turkey and pork tamales topped it all. It was this tradition that brought all her family together every Christmas Eve to celebrate with food, music, and lots of love. Another tradition was Sunday dinner at her house, and for years her children and grandchildren came. Guests were welcome, and looking back, the family is awed at the amount of homemade food she prepared each Sunday. She knew how to create cherished memories, and willingly shared her authentic way of cooking with family members wanting to learn. She did not use precise recipes, so learning meant spending time in the kitchen with her. It brought her great joy to see so many grandchildren and great-grandchildren carrying on her delicious recipes. In 1999, Angela and Leobardo renewed their marriage vows in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. In 2003, when God took her beloved husband Leobardo home, she remained devoted to her family and honored his memory. She was proud of the work ethic of her children, the successful jobs each acquired, and the families they raised. She loved traveling with them on so many trips including several cruises, visiting relatives in Texas, seeing parts of Mexico and places she never dreamed of. She blessed those around her and felt blessed to live the life she did. As her passing approached, she spoke often of joining her husband in Heaven. She approached her death with grace, courage, and unwavering love for her family. Survivors include her six sons and two daughters: Leobardo (Leo) and (Jana Puga) of Meridian, ID, Reymundo (Ray) and (Sue Puga), George Puga, Carlos and (Nancy Puga), Nick and (Linda Puga), and Norman (Norm) and (Gloria Puga), all of Caldwell, ID; Bertha (Bert) and (Jesse) Trujillo of Caldwell, ID, and Beatrice (Bea) and (Ruben) Oropeza of Middleton, ID; four sisters Maria, Francisca, Genoveva, and Beatrice, and 31 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren with one on the way in June, and 6 greatgreat grandchildren. A private family viewing will be held Thursday, May 16 at 4pm. A public Rosary will be held at 5:30pm, May 16, at the Flahiff Funeral Chapel, in Caldwell, Idaho. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00am, Friday, May 17, at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 1122 W. Linden, in Caldwell, Idaho. Concluding services will follow at the Wilder, Idaho Cemetery where Angela will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband Leobardo. The family would like to thank Edna and Jordan of Hospice for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Luke’s non-profit Mobile Mammography Program that provides over 2000 mammograms in rural areas. This can be done using the on-line link at www.stlukesonline.org/give On this donation page, under Gift Designation select “Other” and write-in “Mammograms for the Underserved”. Under “Tribute Gift”, please write “In Memory of Angela Puga”. If donating by check, please write in the Memo line of your check: For Mammograms for the Underserved in Memory of Angela Puga. Please mail your check to: St. Luke’s Health Foundation 190 E. Bannock St. Boise, ID 83712