The funeral service for Blas H. Garcia Sr., of Hollandale, will be at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Theodore Catholic Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. James Berning and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Service Albert Lea and one hour before the service at the church.
Blas died Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, at St. Marys Hospital, Rochester. He was 66 years old.
Blas was born July 21, 1942, at Gregory, Texas, to Blas and Maria (Herrera) Garcia. He lived in Texas and moved to Hollandale in 1969. Blas married Catalina Torres on Jan. 10, 1988. He was a member of St. Theodore Catholic Church. He worked as a laborer in agriculture in the Hollandale area. Blas liked his truck. He also enjoyed the Dallas Cowboys, was a practical joker, barbecuing, listening to Spanish music and helping others.
Blas is survived by his wife Catalina Garcia of Hollandale; five children: Blas Garcia Jr. of Woodbury, Brenda Garcia of West St. Paul, Peter Garcia of Albert Lea, Maria Conde and her husband Gabriel of Northfield, and Tina Garcia of Hollandale; six grandchildren: Jesse, Krystle, Joshua, Michael, Erica, Marisol, Javier, Anahi and Jael; seven great-grandchildren; mother, Maria Garcia of Ohio; brother, Frank Garcia of Ohio; sisters: Yolanda Gomez of Ohio and Diana Paulson of Albert Lea; and many nieces nephews and cousins.
Blas was preceded in death by his father, Blas Garcia I; son, Jesse Garcia; and brother, David Garcia.