Elena Bernal was born in La Piedad, Michoacan, Mexico to Carmen (Cruz) and Jose Aguirre and she settled in Wasco in 1958. Elena married Pasqual Bernal on July 10, 1961. She worked for Armstrong Nursery, Blackwell Land Co. and Paramount Farms for many years. Elena enjoyed spending time gardening, crocheting baby blankets, playing word search puzzles and cooking delicious meals. One of the accomplishments she was most proud of was becoming a naturalized citizen. Elena will be remembered by many for her faithful service of leading the rosary pray for people that passed away; a calling she had since the age of 8 years old. She was also a catechism teacher for many years. Elena raised many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and they all call her" mom" and the neighbors called her "grandma". Elena Bernal was preceded in death by her husband, Pasqual in 2001; parents, Carmen and Jose; great-granddaughter, Esperanza Milagros; siblings, Rosa Villasenor, Ramon Aguirre, Jose Aguirre, Francisco Aguirre, Refugio "Cuco" Aguirre and Guillermo Aguirre. She is survived by her sons; Chris Bernal and wife May Alice of Bakersfield, Bobby Bernal of Wasco and Martin Bernal and wife Suzy of Wasco; daughters, Carmen Canchola and husband Jose of Lost Hills, Cecilia "Chila" Lopez and husband Tomas of Wasco; brother, Felipe Aguirre of Santa Maria; 20 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Monday, April 25, 2011 at 6pm at St. John's Catholic Church for Maria Elena Bernal, age 71, of Wasco, who passed away on April 17, 2011 in Bakersfield. Mass of Christian Burial will be said on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 10am at St. Johns Catholic Church and interment will follow at Wasco Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 25, 2011 starting at 2pm at Peters Funeral Home.