Find

basket, tortilla
basket, tortilla
basket, tortilla

basket, tortilla

Catalog Number
1992.101.1
Date of Origin
unknown
Manufacturer
unknown
Artist/Author
unknown
Materials
fiber, yarn
Dimensions
7.5 in.
Lid measurements are 1' high x 8"diameter.
Description
Round container made up of woven strips of fiber.  Matching lid with embroidered decoration on top.  The decoration consists of the word "MEXICO" in blue yarn.  Below this, in green yarn, there are what appear to be plants.  In pink and yellow yarn, there is the image of a man sleeping.
History
This tortilla basket belonged to Holland resident Jose "Joe" Pacheco. Joe was born in Texas on November 14, 1912. He passed away in Holland, MI on July 6, 2006.

The following information comes from Joe's obituary:

"Joe and his family lived in the growing town of San Marcos, Texas, located in the middle of the state just 30 miles from Austin. Joe led a typically active childhood, and loved to play basketball and baseball with his boyhood friend, LB Johnson.

Of course, during those lean years, everyone had to do their part to help out, and Joe was certainly no different. His family had grown to include nine little brothers and sisters, so he helped support his family by working in a local restaurant. Joe worked washing dishes and waiting tables, for a whopping $3 per week! But it was there in that restaurant that Joe truly acquired a taste for food service, which would serve him well in his lifetime. Nearly two decades later, the former dishwasher would become the Head Chef of the Department of Public Safety in Austin!

Yet Joe would find a love for far more than just food. He was an exceptional dancer, and in 1936, he attended a big Mexican dance, where he met a beautiful young woman named Lupe, and he fell in love. The two went on a date a few months later, and really hit it off. They began dating, even though Joe had to drive the 29 miles between San Marcos and Austin to see her. A year later, the two eloped, and were married in Austin in a church wedding in 1937.

Joe and Lupe had a wonderful marriage, full of love and laughter and most of all, family. Over the years, Lupe and Joe were blessed with eleven terrific children; Mary, Joe A., Naomi, Richard, Delores, Jenita, Marita, Abbie, Randy, Ramon, and Joe.

Joe did whatever he could to support his family, and much of the time was working in a restaurant in Austin, where he once even met Fidel Castro! Joe also worked helping a man named Dr. Rojo, whom he traveled often with, to Mexico, California, and spent four months in Mexico City.

When the darkening skies of World War II reached our shores, Joe wanted to join the military, but couldn't due to health reasons. Still, wanting to do his part, Joe volunteered to fight fires for the government. As always, Joe did whatever he could.

Joe worked hard, and eventually saved enough to open a restaurant in Texas, which he called "El Zarape." Sadly, his business venture burned down, but it couldn't destroy Joe's spirit. He still had a loving family, which filled his life with such happiness.

His children fondly remember their father piling them all into the car and taking them out for a special treat: watermelon, right off the vine. Joe would take the melon, carving strips for each of them, all the while taking the heart for himself! He told the kids he got "the bad part, the heart," and only later in life would they realize he always ate the juiciest part of the melon after all! But as hard as Joe worked, he certainly deserved it.

In 1966, after his restaurant burned, Joe packed up the family and moved north, to Michigan, on the sandy shores of Holland. Joe had hopes of opening an eatery there, but ran into some problems, derailing his dreams. Joe found work in Grand Rapids, but hated the long commute from Holland, especially in the Michigan winters he was so unaccustomed to. Eventually, Joe took a job at Parke-Davis in Holland in 1977, and worked there, along with Lupe, for 11 years before "retiring."

In reality, Joe never actually retired. He took jobs with J.C. Penney, Buick, Amtrak, and Holland Canvas over the next 15 years. But Joe's life was far from all work and no play, however. He enjoyed life in Holland very much. He became a longtime member of St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, and was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus, as well.

Joe spent much of his free time dancing, visiting with family and friends, or his favorite pastime, watching wrestling. Joe was a wrestling fanatic, and would go watch live matches at the Holland Civic Center, or on TV. Joe also loved to watch all the classic TV shows, from Andy Griffith, to Sanford & Son, to I Love Lucy, and enjoyed listening to old-time Spanish music, as well.

Perhaps most of all, Joe loved a good meal, and his many friends and family made sure Joe never lost his exceptional skill in the kitchen, either. His children loved to have their dad bake them homemade donuts, and Joe always made amazing, decorative cakes for any event. It seemed as if the phone was always ringing for Joe, with a friend on the line requesting his cooking skills. But he didn't mind, he was happy to share his gifts with others, touching their hearts the quickest way - through their stomachs!

Joe's heart was always filled with love for his family, and his wife, children and grandchildren and later great-grandchildren meant the world to him. He was always looking after his family first. Sadly, Lupe died in 1987, after 50 years of wonderful marriage. Joe persevered, through the love of his family.

Sadly, Joe died Thursday, July 6, 2006, after a long and full life, a life full of love and family. Joe was a wonderful man, who brightened the lives of so many others, through his love, his support, and especially, his cooking. He was a devoted husband, a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather, but most of all, he was a man who made you feel full and satisfied simply by knowing him. He will be greatly missed.

Jose S. "Joe" Pacheco, age 93, of Holland, died Thursday, July 6, 2006 in peace surrounded by his loved ones at the home of his granddaughter Jennifer, who cared for him in his last months. He was preceded in death by his wife, Guadalupe, in 1987; a son, Randy; two infant sons; a grandson, Andy Quintero; Brothers, Theodore and Jesus; a Sister, Refugia; and a son-in-law, Edward Quintero. Surviving are his children, Mary Stevens, of Houston, Texas, Joe A. and Betty Pacheco, of Bloomingdale, MI, Naomi and Frank Flores, Austin, Texas, Richard and Alicia Pacheco, of Holland, Delores and Esiquio Martinez, of Austin, Texas, Jenita and Jim Widmeier, of Fort Wayne, IN, Marita and Ken Perry, of Cedar Creek, TX, and Abbie Quintero, of Holland; 32 Grandchildren; 51 Great Grandchildren; 4 Great Great Grandchildren; Sisters, Atanasia Cortez, of San Marcos, Texas, Estefena Trevino, of San Marcos, Texas, Vicenta Pacheco, of Texas, Josefina Leos, of California, Elicia Cortez, of Round Rock, Texas, Maggie Cortez, of Austin, TX. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, 11:00AM, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Charley Brown. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, from 2-4, and 7-9PM, at the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, 188 W. 32nd St., Holland. A Rosary will be prayed at 8:00PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Holland, or to the American Heart Association. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can read Joe's life story, sign the guest book, or share a memory.".

Gift of
Pacheco, Joe