euskalkultura.eus

2016/10/23 - Algorta, Bizkaia

(Algorta, Bizkaia, 08-22-1922 ~ Algorta, Bizkaia, 10-23-2016)

Antonia (Aldecoa Goitia) Laradogoitia passed away on October 23, 2016 in her hometown of Algorta, Bizkaia, in the Basque Country.

Antonia was born on August 22, 1922 to Martin Aldecoa and Antonia Goitia. Eight years later she was joined by a younger sister, Maria Isabel, and they were raised in Algorta. Antonia attended school there and excelled in math, a skill she would use throughout her life in various business ventures. 

Antonia was courted by a young Basque who was raised not far from Algorta, but who had established himself in Cascade, Idaho and had returned to the Basque Country on a visit. Antonio "Tony" Laradogoitia and Antonia Aldecoa married in the Basilica of Begoña in Bilbao in December of 1953.

Tony lured his new bride to Idaho by telling her they were just going to stay for three years. He was co-owner of The Chief restaurant, hotel and club, of which Antonia immediately began working in as a cook in the restaurant, helped in the bar, and ran the hotel. Five decades later, Tony and Antonia had established a history of significant financial ventures and a life of hard work and determination in Cascade, Idaho. From owning and operating "The Chief" to creating the Red Beret gas station and convenience store in 1969, to purchasing rental houses and establishing a small RV park, to the acquisition and development of property, the Laradogoitia's worked as a team – Antonio with his savvy and visionary business experience and Antonia with her solid background in being thrifty and excellent in calculations and record-keeping – the two were able to make a real impact on the community.

In her late seventies Antonia studied for and received her US Citizenship, an accomplishment that she was truly proud of.

Tony passed away in 2007 and two years later Antonia decided to return to the Basque Country where she lived near family until her passing. Her assisted living home faced the Bay of Biscay and this accommodation allowed for Antonia to converse in Spanish or Basque and to savor the foods and tastes from her younger days and to be near her sister and nephews.

In Cascade, Antonia was a member of St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, and was a recognized member of the community after living most of her adult life there.
Antonia is survived by her sister, Maria Isabel Aldecoa de Calvo, her nephew Fernando Calvo (Ana) and her nephew, Roberto Calvo (Itziar) and a great niece and two great nephews all in the Basque Country, and a niece, Dolores Laradogoitia Birmingham, in Idaho.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Antonio, of 53 years, her parents and her niece, Begoña.

Services for Antonia were held in Algorta, Bizkaia on October 25, 2016 and Antonia was recognized as part of the annual memorial service held by the Basque community in Boise, Idaho on October 30, 2016.

(Published in Idaho Statesman on Nov. 6, 2016)