Minerva "Minnie" Garcia

Minnie was born in Pflugerville, TX to Alfonso Ruiz Mendoza and Elvira Guajardo Mendoza on November 28, 1929. She was the oldest of 8 siblings and is survived by sisters, Enedina Paniagua, Mary Estrada, Gloria Ortegon, brothers, Ray Mendoza and Alfonso Mendoza Jr. She was predeceased by her sister, Olivia Casarez and infant brother, Alfonsito Mendoza.

She will be missed by many especially her husband of 65 years, Delfino Garcia and children, Victor M. Garcia (Mira), X. Louis Garcia (Sylvia), Gerard S. Garcia (Carla), Sylvia G. Casas (Roberto) and D. Adrian Garcia (Leanne Layne); 11 grandchildren, grandsons, Eric (Kelley), Ehren, Andrew and Greg Garcia, Robert, David, Matthew Casas; granddaughters, Melissa Tucar, Ashley Croshaw, Audrey O'Donnell and Andrea Spruance; 11 great-grandchildren, which she dearly loved.

Minnie grew up on a farm in Pflugerville and attended school for a few years and then the family moved to Austin, TX where she continued school at Zavala Elementary and Stephen F. Austin High School.

In 1948 she met her husband, Delfino Garcia, who was in the U.S. Air Force stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base. They married on July 30, 1950 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Austin, Texas.

In 1955, Minnie was a member of the Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary Post 742, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and Post 1805, at San Jose Catholic Church. In March 2013, Minnie received The Honor of Legion of the Order of St. Agnes at the Catholic War Veterans National Convention in Oklahoma City, OK.

Minnie was a member of the church Society of St. Vincent De Paul and served as president from 1997 to 2000 and again from 2003 to 2010. She performed, as well as supervised the work of the Society which consisted of making home visits to the less fortunate families of the church, maintaining the food pantry, collecting and distributing school supplies and Christmas presents. She also prepared and served breakfast after Sunday Mass. For all her service to the parish and community, Reverend Father Gonzalo Ferrer, Past Pastor of San Francisco Javier Catholic Church, nominated Minnie for the 2007 Lumen Gentium (Light of the World) Award. This honor was presented by the Bishop Most Reverend Gregory Aymond on June 6, 2007. It was her Catholic faith that kept her strong to the very end. Minnie has also served as an alternate judge of many years at her voting precinct for county, city, state and national elections.

She was known for being able to make the most out of nothing like feeding a family of seven out of a can of tuna or a pound of hamburger meat. Luckily her recipe for her famous tuna fish patties was handed down to the next generation for all to enjoy. Unfortunately her legendary tortillas will never be duplicated as a puño and poquito did not translate easily into baking measurements.

Minnie loved her nieces and nephews and was a family pre- school caregiver not only to her grandchildren but nieces and nephews as well. As the oldest sibling she kept the Mendoza family together with Tamaladas, Christmas parties and get togethers at the "Ranch'. Yes, Aunt Minnie will be sorely missed.

She was the consummate military wife supporting all her husband's military deployments assuming all family responsibilities in his absence. She had a big heart and was always unselfishly helping those in need.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons and grandson-in-law Edward Tucar. Honorary Pallbearers are Ray and Al Mendoza, Travis O'Donnell, Joe Croshaw and Ryan Spruance.

The family would like to thank Dr. Edward Chafizedeh, MD and Beth Jackson, MSN and the Nurses at St. David's Hospital who cared for Minerva as well as Gentiva Hospice, Beth Parker RN, Venus Vega CNA, and Purity Nash LVN who made her final days restful and comfortable.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Friday, April 29, 2016 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 2620 South Congress with Recitation of the Holy Rosary to begin at 7:00 pm.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

Interment will follow at Santa Maria Cemetery, Pflugerville, Texas.

And then, when you must come this way alone, I'll greet you with a smile, and say—"Welcome Home!"