Mauricio Renteria (Ornelas) Diaz, 81, a longtime Wenatchee resident, passed away peacefully January 26, 2010, at home in Wenatchee, WA. Mauricio was born on September 22, 1928, at Cruzes, Valparaiso, Mexico, the youngest son of seven of the late Tomas Renteria and Suzana Diaz. He lived in Mexico until the age of 15-½, when he migrated to the U.S. in order to work. At the age 21, he married Maria Juarez Rodriguez. For the next six years, the family migrated from Eloy, AZ to Toppenish, WA, following agricultural work. In 1960, Mauricio settled his family in Quincy, WA. Mauricio attended school to learn English and obtain his U.S. Citizenship. He worked in farm labor and in 1972, he bought a small orchard in Wenatchee, WA, as well as several rental residences to support his family. Mauricio retired in 1996.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Maria Diaz; three daughters, Jovita (Ruben) Balderas of Moses Lake, WA, Blanca (Lalo) Gonzalez of Moses Lake, WA and Valentina (Ruben) Sauceda of Wenatchee, WA; five sons, Jerry Ornelas of Wenatchee, WA, Ruben (Sheila) Ornelas of Wenatchee, WA, Martin (Susie) Diaz of Wenatchee, WA, Mauricio Jr. (Tiffany) Diaz of Wenatchee, WA and Daniel Ornelas; 21 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces; and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers; a granddaughter, Rosemary Gonzalez, August 12, 1989; and a son, Juan Michael Ornelas, February 19, 1994.

Rest in peace, Papi, until we meet again.

Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 1, 2010, at Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee. Funeral Services will begin at Telford's Chapel of the Valley at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 2, 2010. Interment will follow at Wenatchee City Cemetery. Arrangements by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.