Zita Yaksich, age 88, lifelong resident of Raton passed away at her daughter’s home in Roswell on October 18, 2019, Zita was born April 25, 1931 in Van Houten, N.M., the daughter of the late Lazo and Antonia Prohaska Mileta. She was the third oldest of eight children born to the couple. She married the love of her life Nickie Yaksich on May 1, 1954, whom she was married to for 63 years before his passing in 2017. Zita worked for Mountain Bell Telephone company from 1949-1976 and then retired from the company to stay at home with their one and only daughter, Nicole Yaksich Shackelford, who was born in September of 1976, after 23 years of marriage to Nickie.
Zita is preceded in death by her parents, Lazo and Antonia Mileta; half-sisters Josephine Rodman and husband John; Elizabeth Parker and husband Fred; sisters Emily Krulyac and husband George, Martha Menapace and husband Gene; brothers in law, Buddy Vukonich, Chuck Stevens, Roddy Yaksich, Paul Yaksich and wife Enis; and Danny Yaksich.
Zita is survived by her loving daughter Nicole Shackelford and her husband Phillip of Roswell, NM, grandson Colton Miller, grand-daughters Nadia Miller and Rylee Shackelford; brother Pete Mileta and wife Mary Nell of Raton, NM, sisters Helen Vukonich of Raton, Anna Stevens of Colorado Springs, CO, Sophie Madrid and husband Shorty of El Paso, TX, brother in law George ‘Judo’ Yaksich and wife Bonnie of Raton, Mary Yaksich of Raton, and Kathy Yaksich of Maxwell, NM, and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins of the Perovich families.
Zita had a one of a kind sense of humor, loved telling jokes and playing practical jokes on the old and young. She never met a stranger. She was known for her amazing ability to cook (divinity and ravioli were at the top of the list), crocheting almost everyone in the family an afghan, and making over 200 baby bonnets for new babies of family and friends. She was one of the most generous people you could ever meet, with a huge heart and loving soul that will be missed by all.
Funeral Services will be Saturday October 26, 2019 at 10:30 at the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home Chapel with Father Rob Yaksich officiating. Burial will be in the Fairmont Cemetery in Raton.
Arrangements and celebration of love for Zita Yaksich are under the direction of the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home of Raton.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Fairmont Cemetery in Raton.
