Elvira (Vera) R. VarelaMay 25, 1935 - May 22, 2015Aye Mamma . . .Dios Mio!Elvira (Vera) R. Varela, of Pocatello passed away on May 22, 2015 at Portneuf Medical Center surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with cancer.Vera was born on May 25, 1935 to Pedro and Patrocina V. Ramos in La Pryor, Texas. Raised in a large Catholic family, she was the oldest of seven children. Her schooling stopped at 4th grade when she was nine to harvest onion crops in the fields of Minnesota and then later in Washington. She drove trucks around the fields while the rest of her family harvested the onions. She met the love of her life, Steve Varela, on the border of Mexico, whom she later married in Texas in 1975. They moved to Pocatello, ID that same year to be close to her first cousin, Sam Sanchez, where they were blessed with four beautiful children, Alma, Steve, Oscar, and Paul. She worked at Idaho State University as a custodian for eight years while she learned to speak English. In 1975 her and her husband opened the famous restaurant locally known as La Paloma, meaning The Dove. Her and her husband ran the restaurant until they divorced in 1989, when in 1990 she met the second love of her life Cruz Leva. She continued to run the restaurant on her own successfully, until she retired in 2001. It always brought her great joy to prepare food for others and to see them enjoy it so. She became well known by others for her tasty recipes and atmosphere provided at the restaurant. The memories that so many people shared in her restaurant shall live on for years.Vera enjoyed many interests which included ceramics, quilting, entertaining family and friends and as an animal lover. She had two dogs, the first being a teacup poodle named Fefe and the second, a Pomeranian named Chiquita. However, her main passion was cooking Mexican cuisine for her family and at her restaurant for 26 years. She often stated that her first priority in life was always her family. She was always proud of her children and often spoke highly of them to others.Vera is preceded in death by her parents Pedro and Patrocinia Ramos and brothers Victor and Rogelio Ramos. She is survived by her four siblings Manuela Flores of AZ, Olga Salinas of AZ, Esmeralda Udrales of TX and Florentino Ramos of CO. Her daughter Alma Brown and children Nicolette (Jason) Hampton. Aaron (Mickaela) Wood, Ryan (Ashton) Wood. Her son Steve Ramos Varela Jr. and children Justin (Michelle), Chad and Stevie Varela. Her sons Oscar and Paul Varela. Vera as six grandchildren, Justin P Varela, Nicolette Hampton, Aaron Wood, Chad Varela, Stevie Varela, and Ryan Wood, all of which gave her 14 great grandchildren.Our family would like to give special thanks to Vera's medical staff. Especially in the last four years of her life. To Dr. Fahim Rahim, Dr. Naeem Rahim, Dr. Haderlie and the staff at the dialysis center for always taking such great care of our mother, sister, grandma, and nana. To Dr. Travis Nielsen who was her primary care provider, thank you for the wonderful care you gave Vera and the time you always gave to our family to answer our questions. She truly enjoyed you as a provider. To Encompass Home Health and Hospice for your amazing staff and care you showed Vera and her family till the last days of her life, thank you. Lastly, to the ER staff at Portneuf Medical Center who was there on the day our beloved Vera passed away. We can never thank you enough for your patience and caring professionalism through this difficult time.A catholic rosary service with a public visitation will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Friday May 29th at Holy Spirit Catholic Community, St. Anthony's Chapel. 504 N. 7th Ave. Pocatello. A mass of a Christian burial will be at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Arrangement are under the care and direction of Downard Funeral Home, Pocatello ID.