Gabriel Martinez Garcia, 49, of Wells, died Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, at his home of complications with thyroid cancer. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells. The Rev. Eugene Stenzel will officiate. Visitation will be today from 4 to 8 p.m. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells with a prayer service at 8 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Gabriel was born March 24, 1960, in Temilpa Viejo Municipio de Tlaltizapan Morelos, Mexico, the son of Fransico Garcia Reyes and Martha Martinez Arias. On June 4, 1984, he married Christina E. Garcia in Forest City, Iowa.
Gabriel worked at Wells Concrete for 13 years. He loved to eat at the Chinese restaurant in Albert Lea. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping, and he loved to spend time with his family and friends. He also loved to cook fajitas.
Gabriel is survived by his mother Martha Martinez Arias; six children: Maricruz, Gabe, Autumn, Leticia, Elias and Hope; his significant other, Shelly, and her two children, Felisha and Alex; brothers: Sebastian Garcia and wife Inez, Miguel Garcia and wife Margarita, Rafeal Garcia and wife Antonia, Alejandro Garcia and wife Rosa, Thomas Garcia and wife Maria and German De Ja Garcia; sisters: Guillermina Garcia and husband Agustin and Francisca Garcia and husband Salvador. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Gabriel was predeceased by his wife, Christina; his father, Fransico; his sister, Clara; and his grandparents.