Carmen Rustica (Molina) Rodriguez

Carmen Rustica Molina Rodriguez passed away October 11, 2023 at Medicalodge of Kinsley.  Carmen was born February 17, 1930 to Jose and Alberta Sapien Molina in Bellefont, Kansas, in a railroad section house.  Carmen was a homemaker and Certified Dietary Manager at Medicalodge of Kinsley for over 24 years.

In October of 1954 she married Manuel Rodriguez at St. Nicholas Church in Kinsley.  And to this union, they had seven children.  Dennis, Marlin, Barry (Delberta), Douglas (Janieve), Nora Schaller, Lisa (Jerry) Springer and Beverly Sharp.

Carmen’s legacies include, her children, 15 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Marlin and grandson Joseph.

Carmen was a 1950 graduate of Kinsley High School.  She loved photography in her early years and worked for a time at Rumsey’s Photography.   She loved taking pictures and loved telling us about the photos and who was in them.

She was a member of the Jones Barnes Gasser #7349 VFW Ladies Auxiliary and also served as a past President.

Mom’s memory was amazing.  She would tell us stories of her childhood with such detail.   We were always amazed with what she could remember.

She loved to tell stories of “when she was young”.   And those listening always seemed to learn something new about her past.

We were all amazed at her strength and resilience during difficult times.  And when we needed someone to lean on she was there, to listen, care and give us her wisdom.  Many times when we were in doubt, she would ask us “where’s your faith?” “did you pray about it?”;  and remind us to ask God to help us through our struggles.

Mom loved watching Hallmark Christmas movies.  She was always excited when a new movie would come out.  She even has her very own “Hallmark Christmas Movie” watching blanket.   She also loved watching the Sci-Fi channel, especially when it would show a marathon of Godzilla movies.  Not the current color movies, but the good old black and white movies that always had the voice and mouth movement that was out of synch.  Mom was also a huge NCIS fan.  She loved to watch the “original” ones with Mark Harmon, and not the newer ones.  Mom absolutely loved to watch QVC.  She would often call someone to check to see if she had a package outside.  Because it was probably a new Christmas ornament, from the Christmas in July sale.

She was Kansas Jayhawk basketball fan.  She loved watching games with family.   One time when Lisa was upset because the Jayhawks “didn’t show up” for the game, Mom asked her, “have you prayed for those boys? You don’t know what they are going through.  You don’t know how much stress they have to win. You should pray for them. Pray God gives them strength.  They need our prayers too.”   Point taken mom, point taken.

Carmen loved to collect “her Angel’s” as she called them.  And while her collection started out small, it grew to dozens with the help of her family.  Her beloved Angel’s moved with her from Lewis to Kinsley and then to Medicalodge.   They were by her side and watching over her when she needed them.   Mom took comfort in knowing her Angel’s were with her when she would say her daily prayers.  When one of us kids would be at her house early in the morning or late at night, we would hear talking in her bedroom; when we would go to see who she was talking to, she’d tell us she was saying her prayers.  She would talk to God as if he was right there next to her, and she knew he was.   Mom would tell us that she prayed for each and everyone of her kids and grandkids.  Each and every one.  By name.   We used to tease her about her prayers taking her an hour to say.  Because, let’s face it, she prayed for 46 of us.