Estela Ybarra

Blanca Estela Gonzales Ybarra, died peacefully in the presence of her family at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on November 10, 2025. Estela was 61 years old.

A long-time resident of Holland, Estela was born in Harlingen, Texas, on January 12, 1963. She graduated from Holland Christian High School in Holland, Michigan, and for thirty-five years, she worked as a department specialist in the Community and Neighborhood Services Department office for the City of Holland. She is one of the few employees with the longest continuous employment history.

Working for the City of Holland brought her great joy. Her call in life was to serve others, and this included her dedicated work in her department, service to her church, helping her children and grandchildren, and serving God through the ministry of education and administration at Sinai Assembly of God Church in Holland. Estela and her younger sister Patricia (who died on April 3, 2025) followed the example of their mother, Consuelo Montelongo Gonzalez, whose piety, modesty, care for others, and always-present love for their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ marked all they did. Estela’s courage and never-ceasing faith in God sustains us all even as we mourn her death.

Estela is survived by her devoted husband, Martin Ybarra, who resides in Fennville, Michigan.

She is also survived by her children and grandchildren:

Daughter, Adrianna Ybarra Balcazar and her husband, Eric Balcazar, of Houston, Texas, along with their children, Diamante, Diego, and Alezandra.

Daughter, Elaina Ybarra Torres and her husband, Emmanuel Torres, of Holland, Michigan, and her children, Luz and Sean. Son, Joshua Ybarra of New Braunfels, Texas, and his children, Braylon and Madison.

Estela was the daughter of the late Fedrico Gonzales Muñoz and Maria del Consuelo Montelongo Antuna.

Her surviving siblings and their spouses include:

Alfredo Gonzales and his wife, Maria Corral Gonzales, of Holland, Michigan.

Mercedes Gonzalez Silva of Holland, Michigan.

Marco Antonio Gonzalez and his wife, Marie Perales Gonzalez, of Holland, Michigan.

Maria del Consuelo Gonzalez Asencio and her husband, Antonio Asencio, of Hamilton, Michigan.

Ruben Jorge Gonzalez of Holland, Michigan.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, Guadalupe Gonzalez and Patricia Gonzalez Verastegui, and her brother-in-law, Edward (“Eddie”) Silva.

Martin Ybarra's family includes his mother, Francisca Ybarra of Holland, Michigan, and his late father, Guadalupe Ybarra. His siblings and their spouses are:

Guadalupe Jr. Ybarra and his wife, Sandra Ybarra, of San Antonio, Texas.

Diana Ybarra Mares of Holland, Michigan.

Israel Ybarra and his wife, Amy Ybarra, of Grandville, Michigan.

Noe Ybarra and his wife, Irene, of Holland, Michigan.

Pedro Ybarra of Holland, Michigan.

Ricardo Ybarra of Holland, Michigan.

Funeral Services,

Visitation will take place at Sinai Assembly of God Church, 533 Central Avenue, Holland, Michigan 49423, on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 10:00 AM until 11:45 AM. The funeral service will be held immediately following the visitation at 12:00 PM (Noon). Following the service, interment will take place at Pilgrim Home Cemetery, located at 370 East 16th Street, Holland, Michigan 49423.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support the work Estela loved at Sinai Assembly of God Church of Holland.