Maria C. Avila De Cortez

Maria C. Avila de Cortez, 86, of Idaho Falls, passed away March 18, 2025, at Parkwood Meadows Assisted Living Community. She was under the care of Brio Hospice and her family.

Maria was born September 25, 1938, in Huejuquilla el Alto, Jalisco, Mexico, to Apolinar Avila and Venancia de la Torre Avila. She attended schools in Rancho de los Garcias Mezquites, Huejuquilla el Alto Jalisco, Mexico.

On July 22, 1961, she married Manuel Cortez Muñoz in Jalisco, Mexico. Maria and Manuel made their home in Idaho Falls.

She was an active member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister.  She enjoyed crocheting, planting flowers, visits with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, visits to Mexico, playing cards, and serving her family.

Maria is survived by her husband, Manuel Cortez Munoz of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Jose R. (Maria de la Luz Cortez) Cortez of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Ruben Cortez of Blackfoot, ID; son, Juan Manuel (Maria E. Cortez) Cortez of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Verta (Agustin Ruiz) Ruiz of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Mario (Hortencia Fernandez) Cortez of Idaho, ID; daughter, Raquel (Maurilio Ruiz) Cortez de Ruiz of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Lino (Sandra F. Cortez) Cortez of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Manuel (Karina Cortez) Cortez of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Victor (Laura Cortez) Cortez of Rigby, ID; son, Isabel “Chabelo” (Lucia Cortez) Cortez of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Nicolas (Lorena Palacios) Cortez of Idaho Falls, ID; brother, Sidonio (Elena Madera) Avila of Pauma Valley, CA; brother, Olegario Avila of Tampa, FL; brother, Francisco Avila of Temecula, CA; sister, Clara (Pedro Meza) Meza of Zillah, WA; and sister, Elena (Jose Graciano) Avila of Toppenish, WA; 35 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her infant son and daughter, Ruben Cortez and Marta Cortez; brother, Enrique Avila; sisters, Guadalupe Avila, Domitila Avila, and Maria de la Cruz Avila; father, Apolinar Avila; and mother, Venancia de la Torre.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 21, 2025, at Christ The King Catholic Church, 1690 E. 17th Street, Idaho Falls. A rosary will be held at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue, with a visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m. for family and friends. Burial will be in the Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery.