euskalkultura.eus

25/05/2017 - Gooding, Idaho, EEUU

Luis Mario Zatica, 70, a resident of Gooding, beloved husband, father, brother and friend, peacefully left behind pain and sickness on May 25, 2017.

Luis was born November 21, 1946 in Ispaster, Vizcaya, Spain to Mario Zatica and Dolores Madarieta.  Luis moved to the United States when he was 18, and settled in Gooding as his employment contract was with Faulkner. He worked for many years with them as a sheepherder and a camp tender.  

Luis returned to Spain for two years to serve in the Spanish Navy.  Upon completion of his required service, he came back to Gooding and returned to his work with Faulkner.  

January 15, 1977, he married Debbie Joller.   On December 5, 1977, their son Joseba Andoni was born.  Their second son, Joxu Kepa, joined the family April 7, 1981.

Luis was a hard worker.  No matter how the economy turned he found work to provide for his family.  He drove truck for Southern Idaho Transport for 15 years, worked for Gooding County Highway Department, drove log truck in Grangeville, and many other jobs.  One of his most memorable accomplishments was establishing the Toki Ona, a Basque restaurant that showed off his amazing cooking skills, and was a regular gathering place for locals.

Luis was involved with the Basque Association, and was the cook for the Annual Basque Picnic for many years.  Luis will be remembered for his humor, his willingness to help anyone who needed it, and giving loaves of his Basque Bread to all he knew.

Luis loved his family, and was loved in return. His 3 grandchildren, Maitea, Amaia and Elias were the light of his life.  They were always excited to visit "Chi Chi," and spend time with him. Luis loved to go to camping at Big Smokey with his family, and hunting and fishing with his boys. He was a dreamer, a gardener and a builder. Anything that needed to be done, he was the 'man to go to.'  His handiwork can be seen in every room of the home he shared with Debbie.

There are no words to describe the void his passing has left in the lives of all those who knew and loved him.

Luis was preceded in death by his parents, brother Luis Mario, and Brother In-Law, Jose Antonio Gogenola.  He is survived and dearly missed by his wife, Debbie; sons, Joseba Zatica and Joxu (Katie Ahrens) Zatica; grandchildren Maitea, Amaia, and Elias.   He is also survived by his siblings in Spain, sister, Maria Mercedes Zatica, brothers Jose Manuel Zatica (Itxiar) and Juan Pedro Zatica, and his sister Ana Teresa Zatica (Luis Mari Amais).   He had a special relationship with his mother-in-law, Mary Kelly. He will also be missed by his many In-laws, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends, both in Spain and in the U.S.

No more sickness.   No more pain.   Always loved.  Always remembered.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at the Gooding Basque Center, 285 Euskadi Lane in Gooding.

(publicado en Bowman Funeral Directors, Legacy.com)