Rafaela “Ralphie” P. Salazar, 95, of Topeka, passed away on June 10, 2025, at her home.
She was born January 25, 1930, in Topeka, Kansas to Juan A. Barranco and Teresa (Perez) Barranco. Rafaela grew up in the bottoms in Topeka and attended East Topeka Jr. High School.
Rafaela enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and gardening. She loved to cook enchiladas for her family and make tamales for Fiesta Topeka. Rafaela also liked to bake cookies and make popcorn balls for Halloween.
She attended of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and was a member of the Altar Society.
Rafaela started her working career at Seymour Foods. She then became a personal housekeeper and then worked and retired from the housekeeping department at the University of Kansas Hospital St. Francis Campus. She also was a proud co-owner of “The Sombrero”, the first Mexican drive-in in Topeka.
She married Carlos Salazar on September 22, 1951, in Topeka. They shared nearly 32 years of marriage before his passing in 1983.
Survivors include her children, Cheryl Ann Biery and husband Galen of Topeka, Antonio G. Salazar of Topeka, Carlos Juan Salazar and wife Cindy of Topeka, Debra A. Salazar-Bailey and husband Mark of Topeka, and Veronica M. Salazar of Topeka; 9 grandchildren; and 19 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; siblings, Angel Barranco, Maria Concepion Martinez, Josefina Munoz, Pedro Barranco, Jesus Barranco, Salvador Barranco, Aurora B. Sanchez, Dolores Torrez, Maria Rocha, Cenaida Gonzalez, Amparo Gamino, and infant Benjamin Barranco; as well as a grandson, Brian L. Bailey.
The family will receive friends from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Tuesday, June 17, with a rosary prayed at 7:00pm, at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am, Wednesday, June 18, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Topeka. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery-Topeka.
Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Midland Hospice, sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave. Topeka, KS 66603.
