The funeral service for Cruz Vasquez Espinosa, will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. John Traufler and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Interment will be in St. Theodore’s Cemetery, Albert Lea. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church. There will be a prayer service at 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Cruz died on Thursday, July 10, 2008, at the Golden Living Center in Rochester. She was 80.
She was born on May 3, 1928, in Hebbronville, Texas, the daughter of Doroteo and Trinadad (Gonzales) Vasquez.
She married Armando Espinosa Sr. on Nov. 3, 1954 in Winnebago.
They made their home in Elmore for most of their lives.
Spending time with family was the focus of Cruz’s life. Caring for her grandchildren was something she so enjoyed. She was a woman of great faith and continually prayed for those she loved and held dear.
She was very caring and would give all she had if someone was in need.
She enjoyed sewing, cooking and loved to laugh.
She will be lovingly missed by her family: husband Armando, of Rochester; 10 children: Anita (Jose) Aguilar of Brownsville, Texas, J.R. (Deb) Espinosa of Spencer, Iowa, Mary Hove of Pierre, S.D., James (Alfredia) Espinosa of Albert Lea, Jane (Rick) Weaver of Stewartville, John (Sandy) Espinosa of Union, Neb., Joseph Espinosa and partner Greg Waletski of Minneapolis, Fran (John) Bliss of Albert Lea, Frank Espinosa of Elmore, Mike Espinosa of Albert Lea; 38 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and two more soon to come; brother Richard (Alicia) Vasquez of West St. Paul and sister Santos (Martin) Briseno of Elmore; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Cruz was preceded in death by her parents, her children: daughter Christina Garcia and two sons in infancy Manuel and baby John; one brother and many sisters.
Cruz was a very loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was always there for us and she will be greatly missed.