Obituary of Juanita Ann Lomayesva Nelson

Juanita A. "Nita" Nelson, age 70, passed away in Yuma, Arizona on April 2, 2015. Juanita and her twin, William Lomayesva, were born in Flagstaff, Arizona on March 20, 1945 to Dwight Moody Lomayesva and Mary Burnett Lomayesva. Dwight is of Hopi descent and Mary is Miwok. Both are enrolled members of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. Juanita graduated high school in 1963 from Ganado Mission High School in Ganado, Arizona. As a young woman, she attended nursing school in Phoenix, Arizona and she graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She was a nurse for 22 years and worked for both the Veteran's Administration and Parker Indian Health Services. Juanita liked to go camping and fishing and loved to travel. She especially liked visiting the different casinos throughout Arizona and Nevada. Her very favorite activity, however, was spending time with her family. Juanita is survived by her husband of 29 years, Austin T. Nelson, her three sons, Richard Dillon Esquerra (Michele), Brandon Esquerra, and Boise Esquerra (Olivia), and her 5 grandchildren, Seattle, Olivia, Brandon Orion, Benicio, and Boston Esquerra. She is also survived by her siblings, Dolores Harjo, Frank Lomayesva, Dwight Lomayesva Jr., Bill Lomayesva, Gloria Esquerra, Rose Marie Miller, and Rose Mary Velarde. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, George H. Lomayesva, and her sister Marigold Conlan. Juanita, a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, will be dearly missed by all of her family and friends. She will be laid to rest in Parker, Arizona on Saturday, April 11, 2015, following services at the Poston Community Baptist Church. It was here that she married her previous husband, Frank B. Esquerra, on January 21, 1967. Burial will follow at the Parker Cemetery. Services were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory in Parker. Thoughts and condolences may be sent to Juanita's family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com.