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04/02/2022 - Caldwell, Idaho, USA

After a courageous battle with heart and kidney failure, Molly Louise Panzeri Menchaca, 85, of Caldwell passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on Saturday, April 2, 2022.

Vigil services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 11, 2022, at Dakan Funeral Chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 12th, 2022, at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Caldwell. Interment will follow at the Marsing-Homedale cemetery.

Molly was born July 16, 1936, in Murphy, Idaho to William Michael Panzeri and Amparo “Pearl” (Quintana) Panzeri.

Molly spent her childhood years with her younger brother Benny splitting time between the homestead in Marsing and the Panzeri ranch in Jordan Valley, Oregon where the family raised cattle, sheep, and horses. While growing up Molly and her brother, Benny had good times chasing cattle and sheep, riding horses, and tormenting the sheep herders and anyone else they could. Molly and Benny were blessed with a particularly good and happy childhood, taken care of by loving and kind parents, who taught them how to work hard and to love the animals and the ranching lifestyle.

Molly attended Marsing High School where she participated in athletics and excelled in the classroom. Molly furthered her education at the University of Idaho as well as The College of Idaho with her brother Benny and after two years of college, they both decided to start working; Benny for the family ranch and Molly at the Bank of Idaho.

Molly started her family in Caldwell, Idaho in 1957 with her first-born son Craig, followed by son Greg and daughters Lisa and Linda. Soon after, she began a career at Burns Chevrolet where she worked for 20 years initially as a bookkeeper and finished her career as the office manager.

Her life was forever changed when Molly married the love of her life Rod Menchaca on January 9, 1971. They added two additional daughters Diana and Angie to complete the close-knit family of eight.

In 1981 Molly took her passion for horses and embarked on a business venture buying in to a western retail store called Idaho’s Cowboy Supply in Caldwell, Idaho. She was excited to provide a service to the farming and ranching community in which she was raised. She was a pioneer as a business woman in Caldwell with a successful business for over 40 years. Even at the age of eighty-five she still took immense pride in running her family-owned business with daughter Linda.

Molly was a dedicated mother and grandmother who kept her family close to her and close to each other. She loved her family fiercely and supported in all they did and dreamed to do. This included many adventures, including rodeos, Basque dancing, horse 4H, graduations, births, cattle brandings, and sporting events not only for her own children but her grandchildren as well. In her down time, she enjoyed spending time on the family farm and ranch with the horses she loved so much. She also enjoyed time with family, friends, attending horse shows, rodeos, and arranging numerous family gatherings for holidays and birthdays.

Molly had a big heart and was very generous in her community and her church. She served as a eucharistic minister and lector at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church.

She will be greatly missed by family, friends, and the Western community that she loved so much. She was one of the most caring, selfless, strong willed and courageous women you could ever meet. She left an impression on those she crossed paths with and impacted so many in a positive way. The strength she has demonstrated, and her strong work ethic will live on in her family.

Molly was preceded in death by her loving husband Rod Menchaca, beloved mother and father, Willie and Pearl Panzeri, brother Benny Panzeri, and niece Kimberly Panzeri.
She is survived by her sister-in-law Mary Panzeri, her children Craig Brasher (Rhonda), Greg Brasher, Lisa Astley, Linda Vincent (Jim), Diana Menchaca (Carl), Angie Menchaca (Justin). Grandchildren Faith, Mandy, Rachael, Josh, Breck, Austin, Conner, Addi, Lexie, Crystal, Jennifer, Jessica, Jake, Caden, Carter and lastly, the apple of her eye, Cooper as well as numerous cousins and great grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials made in her name to Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Txoko Ona Basque Center in Homedale or flowers may be sent.

(published in Idaho Press, Legacy.com)

Goian Bego (GB) - May she Rest in Peace