Minerva B. Montelongo's Obituary
Minerva B. Montelongo of Houston Tx passed away on December 23, 2023 at the age of 93. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and a true servant of our Lord. Mrs. Montelongo was born Minerva Barrera on August 20, 1930 in San Diego, TX.
Minerva is survived by her son, Ismael (Wanda), daughter Ina Gentempo (Charles), and son Juan Montelongo. Also, by her grandaughters, Jessica Krustchinsky, Megan Rodriquez, Christine Valdez, Sandra Torres, Amanda Salinas, and Melanie Rice; grandsons Michael and Jason Montelongo. Great grandchildren Marissa and Evan Krustchinsky, Maria Valdez-Colvin, Randy Jr., Xavier and Layla Salinas, Marcela and Gabriela Rice, Lucas and Camila Torres, Laney Montelongo and Posie Montelongo. Son-in-law Basilio Valdez and daughter-in-law Blanca Montelongo, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband Ismael Sr., her beautiful daughter, Maria Ida Valdez, her loving son Isaac Montelongo and her sisters Catarina Garcia and Dalia Guajardo, brothers Abel, Edmundo and Felipe Barerra, and mother Zobeida Barrera.
She met the love of her life, Ismael Sr. at church. He asked the parish priest to ask her mother if he could marry her. They both said yes and just after they were married, he joined the army and went off to the Korean War. Their first child Maria Ida was born while he was overseas. After Korea, they moved to Houston and really began life as a family. He was a union carpenter and
she became a housewife and mother as along came four more children. After a year in Dallas, they returned to Houston and moved in the Southeast area and made Mt. Carmel parish their church home for the next 30+ years. They were very active in the church and she was a devoted member of the Catholic Daughters.
She began working outside the home when her youngest started school. She started at Wyatt’s Cafeteria and then took a job as a service representative for Texaco Card Services. She remained at Texaco for over 20 years retiring as their Department Supervisor.
Along with a good dose of discipline, their house was filled with love, laughter and good times. She and Ismael Sr. loved to garden, always having beautiful rose gardens. She loved to be outside working in the dirt no matter what the weather and she was generous always providing cuttings of her precious beauties.
Her big heart and generosity grew along with the size of the family. As the kids grew in to adults and married, they provided her with the joy of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was so pleased watch them cook tamales, enchiladas, rice, beans, wedding cookies and even her famous “grandma’s unch”. She declared all tasted as they should and her work was done.
The little ones delighted her and she would light up at their adorable antics. It’s one of the pleasures that kept her spry at her age and young at heart.
Minerva’s life had many trials, but through it all she never complained. Always with the Grace of God she was able to keep her faith strong, she never questioned Gods plan. You could always count on a “God Bless You” with a hug and a kiss goodbye. It’s time for you to be with those you loved so much, God Bless you and WE LOVE YOU MORE
In lieu of flowers you may donate to the Polycystic Kidney Foundation…pkdcure.org.
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