Ingrid Gonzales

Ingrid Gonzales was born August 13, 1942 in Wittlich, Germany to Johann and Maria Heinrich. Being raised in a poor family, she learned to value everything and never took anything for granted. On a vibrant evening in February, 1965, Ingrid met an U.S. Air Force engineer named Jesus Gonzales at a gasthaus in Wittlich. Jesus was stationed at the local air base in Spangdahlem, Germany, and later served in the Vietnam War. Jesus could not speak a word of German and Ingrid could not communicate in English either. However, when Jesus asked Ingrid to dance by twirling his finger, their love story began. Jesus stole Ingrid’s heart and eight months later, they were married in her home town. Ingrid migrated to the United States in 1966 shortly after her marriage. While in the United States, she learned new customs, gained knowledge in the English language, and was a patriotic wife to her husband. She adored living in the United States and it would be many years later, on May 31, 1996, until she became a proud American citizen.

Before meeting Jesus, Ingrid had a daughter prior to her marriage, a daughter named Caroline, but they had many more children together. Their relationship consummated four other children, David, Maria, Yolanda, and Daniel. Through their four children, Ingrid and Jesus were also blessed with nine grandchildren in the years that followed.

Ingrid cherished and adored her grandchildren very much and was very proud of their accomplishments that grew every year. She always looked forward to newest achievements because she invested the time, money, and care into all nine of her grandchildren. She made it a goal to help all of her grandkids succeed in school and she wished that they all would have successful lives. Any moments spent with her grandchildren gave her more meaning to stay alive on earth. She would always agree to the idea that her grandchildren were her greatest form of natural medicine.

Ingrid was a strong Catholic and was an active member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, in Ontario, California. She loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all of her heart and she was not ashamed to admit it. The Lord gave her a special gift of having an artistic mind. She was very creative and enjoyed beautifying her home with so many decorations that entertained her children and grandchildren.

Ingrid is survived by her husband and three daughters: Caroline Heinrich, Maria Montes and Yolanda Torres. She is also survived by one son: Daniel Gonzales. She was preceded by her son David Gonzales who passed away in 2008 from leukemia. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren who loved her with all their hearts. Ingrid was the vibrant backbone in her family. She was a caring mother and grandmother who was admired by numerous individuals who met her. She has left a hole in many hearts but we are comforted to know that Heaven gained a new angel.