Serafina Totoricaguena

Serafina Totoricaguena, 90, of Boise, Idaho passed away peacefully on September 10, 2022 surrounded by family. Serafina was born November 16, 1931 in Ibarruri, Bizkaia, Spain, the first born child of Sotero Lejarcegui and Juana Inunciaga.

As a young girl in Spain, Serafina lived with her parents in the family basseri (farmhouse) in Muxika. Later, to help provide for the family, she left home to live with her aunt and uncle in Gernika where she helped in the family’s coffee shop. At 14 years of age, Serafina attended sewing school in the afternoons and became an accomplished seamstress.

On October 9, 1952, Serafina married Segundo Totoricaguena in Gernika, Spain and immigrated to the United States. She settled on the Totorica family sheep ranch in Grandview, Idaho, where she raised her seven children and cooked three fabulous meals each day for her family and numerous sheepherders. In 1965, Serafina proudly became a United States citizen after having taught herself how to read and write in English. While in Grandview, she was an active member of St. Henry’s Altar Society.

In 1975, after living in Grandview for 22 years, Serafina retired with her husband and moved to Boise. In her retirement, Serafina enjoyed sewing, knitting, gardening, playing Briska and traveling. She was an exceptional cook who welcomed family and friends to her table. Serafina enjoyed life and had an adventurous spirit. After attending her children’s numerous sporting events, she became an avid sports fan and watched her favorite college teams and professional tennis players.

Serafina was a member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church, LOIS Basque Ladies Society, the Euskaldunak Boise Basque Club, and Txoko Ona Basque Club in Homedale.

Serafina was preceded in death by her husband Segundo; her son Richard; her sisters Maite Lejarcegui and Mary Larrinaga ; and her brothers Jesus Lejarcegui and Alfredo Mateo.

Survivors include Richard’s widow, Ann Totorica of Millcreek, WA; children Irene (Dr. John DeWeerd) Totorica of Sparks, NV; Miren (James) Crawford of Lake Forest, IL; George (Iciar Aldazabal) Totorica of Boise, ID; Connie (Andrew) Gould of Peoria, AZ; Carol (Joseph) MacHarg of Reno, NV; Ralph (Owena) Totorica of San Antonio, TX; brother Jose Luis Lejarcegui (Jeanne Harvey) of Meridian, ID; sisters Maria Paz Lejarcegui of Amorebieta, Spain and Juanita Lejarcegui of Gernika, Spain; 20 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and beloved friend Flora Aldazabal.

Our deepest gratitude goes to Marie Evans of Mountain Home, ID and the staff at Valley View Skilled Nursing in Boise.

Viewing will be held Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 6:00 pm at Cloverdale Funeral Home, 1200 N Cloverdale Rd, Boise, ID 83713. Rosary will follow at 7:00 pm. Funeral mass will be held

Friday, September 16, at 10:00 am at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 7960 W Northview St, Boise, ID 83704, followed by interment at Morris Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be sent to Basque Foundation, Inc., 601 W Grove St, Boise, ID 83701.