Ana Isabel Vonachen Dominguez, 89, passed away peacefully in her sleep August 28, 2025 in Lawrence, Kansas. Born January 13, 1936, Ana lived in the Hutchinson, Kansas area most of her life, working as a translator at Heston Corporation, and in retail sales at Pegues, Wiley’s and Dillard’s department stores. She also taught Spanish at Trinity Junior/High School.
She graduated from high school at the Instituto de Media de Melilla (Spain) in 1954 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Liberal Arts from the Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain) in 1960. She met her future husband Cecil Rex Vonachen in 1957 while he was stationed at the United States Air Force Base in Zaragoza, Spain. They were married there on December 26, 1960, and moved to Pratt, Kansas in 1961. Returning to Spain with her husband and children for one year in 1972, Ana also received her Masters degree in Philosophy and Liberal Arts from the Universidad de Zaragoza.
In her spare time while raising her three children, Ana enjoyed playing tennis, Bridge and Ma Jong with many dear friends, as well as knitting and crocheting. She was a devote Catholic and volunteered for many years in various church activities at St. Teresa’s and Holy Cross Catholic Churches in Hutchinson.
Ana is survived by her children Kathleen Ann VonAchen of Lawrence, Kansas, Steven Eric Vonachen (Stephanie) of Wichita, Kansas, John Terry Vonachen of Lawrence, Kansas, and grandson Samuel Vonachen of Lansing, Kansas. She is also survived by her brother Juan Dominguez Lasierra of Zaragoza, Spain, sister-in-law Arlene Vonachen of Pratt, Kansas, and sister-in-law Connie Vonachen of Racine, Wisconsin.
Preceded in death include her loving spouse of 61 years Cecil Rex Vonachen, her parents Juan Dominguez Dominguez and Victoriana Dominguez Lasierra, father-in-law and mother-in-law Rex and Mrytle Vonachen, brother-in-law Wayne Vonachen, daughter-in-law Karla Vonachen, granddaughter Audrey Vonachen, and many cousins in Spain.
A special mass is being held to celebrate her memory and life at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2631 Independence Road, Hutchinson, Kansas 67502 on Saturday, September 13th at 10:30 am. Her family will be present to welcome friends and loved ones.
Please send memorial donations to Holy Cross Catholic Church, Altar Society, at https://holycross-hutch.com/.