Natividad &8220;Steve&8221; Duenes, age 87, of Albert Lea, died May 14, 2006, at Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center where he was a resident for a short time. A Memorial Mass is set for Wednesday, May 17, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea, with the Rev. James Berning and Deacon Mike Ellis officiating the morning service. Inurnment will follow at the church cemetery. A memorial visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the St. Theodore Parish in Albert Lea, with a scripture service at 6:30 p.m. at the church. The memorial visitation will continue one hour before the service at St. Theodore Church on Wednesday.

Natividad was born Jan. 5, 1919, in San Marcos, Texas, to Teofilo and Felicitas (Aguirre) Duenes. He grew up in Texas but was a Minnesota resident since his marriage to Guadalupe (Luna) Duenes on May 10, 1942. They were married in Minnesota Lake and remained Minnesota residents, raising seven children, until their death.

Steve worked at Wilson’s Meat Packing Plant in Albert Lea, for 36 years until his retirement. He was a member of St. Theodore’s Catholic Church. He enjoyed gardening, dancing, traveling to Mexico and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by their children: Robert (Josie) Duenes of Owatonna, John (Paula) Duenes of Albert Lea, Rudy (Blasa Estrada) Duenes of Albert Lea, Guadalupe (Hector) Ortiz of Albert Lea, Rosa (Ramon) Villareal of Albert Lea, Carmen (Martin) Rosas of Albert Lea and Jesse Duenes also of Albert Lea, along with 25 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. Steve is also survived by his brothers; Joe (Andrea) Duenes of New Richland, Minn., Mike (Josie) Duenes of Wisconsin and sister Silvina (Alfredo) Mendez of San Antonio, Texas, also many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Guadalupe Luna Duenes, his parents and sisters Domitila, Rosa, Margarita, Marcelina and brother Marcelino Duenes.

Memorials are preferred to St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea.