Selma Elizabeth Potts Lazaro, age 76, passed away on December 17, 2022 in Delta, Utah. She was born on July 9, 1946 in her family home in Lynndyl, Utah. She is the eldest daughter of Leona Selma Lake Davis Potts and Walter Andrew Potts, and grew up in Lynndyl, the second in a family of six children. A highlight of her youth was a special relationship with her aunt, JoAnn Lake. They were about the same age and had many excellent adventures together. She attended Delta area Schools, and started working at as a teenager at Top’s City Café. In that social atmosphere, she met Sotero ‘Ruben’ Muñoz Lazaro. They eventually eloped and were married in Ely, Nevada in July of 1961. They made their home in Delta and raised 7 kids together. Selma also kept the books and helped Ruben run their hay and coal hauling company. They later divorced.
When her children were older, Selma determinedly earned her GED in 1984, and then earned a certificate in accounting through the trade tech. Over the years, Selma also freely gave her time to the community: volunteering as a poll worker and at the Great Basin Museum, acting as a receptionist for Dr. Jackson, and enjoying the great times with her friends in “The Pink Ladies”.
Selma was deeply caring. She supported her children in all their activities. She spent many of her weekends driving the Delta High Debate Team to tournaments and getting kids to Dance competitions. Her caring spirit resulted in her home being a haven for many neighborhood children. She brought them in and made sure they were well fed and knew they were important. In 1985, she was awarded the Delta area “Mother of the Year” Recognition. Selma loved to quilt and to travel. She filled her children’s memories with many trips to California, Mexico and the National Parks. Most recently, her greatest joy has been all the time spent with her grandchildren admiring them play and grow.
Selma overcame many struggles during her life. She was an example of patiently and happily enduring all the obstacles that life can throw your way. All who knew her will remember her big smile and little giggles. She will be deeply missed.
Selma is survived by her children: Sotero ‘Ruben’ (Sherry) Lazaro, Jr, Delta; Selma ‘Sissy’ (Paul) Baxter, Brownsville, Texas; Margarita (Rodney) Phillipsen, Delta; Marcos (Sylvia) Lazaro, Delta; Rosa Lazaro, Corpus Christi, Texas; Angelita Lazaro, Arizona; 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren; sisters: Leona Swarthout and April Church. She is preceded in death by her son: Faustino ‘Tino’ Lazaro; former husband: Sotero ‘Ruben’ Lazaro; grandsons: Shaw Phillipsen, Anthony Phillipsen, and Richard Carite; daughter-in-law: Tiffany Lazaro; brother: Barney Davis; sisters: Velma Gilmore and Minnie Potts.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 29, at 11:00am in the Delta LDS Stake Center Chapel, 125 S White Sage Ave. Viewings will be held Wednesday evening, 6:30-8:00pm, at the Nickle Mortuary; and Thursday, 9:30-10:40am, prior to the service. Friends unable to attend are invited to view the recorded video of the Service. Burial in the Delta City Cemetery.