Armando Espinosa Sr., 81

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The funeral service for Armando P. Espinosa Sr. of Elmore will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Theodore’s Catholic Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. James Berning and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Interment will be in St. Theodore’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7p.m. Thursday, at Bonnerup Funeral Service, 2210 East Main St., Albert Lea and one hour before the service at the church. A public Prayer Service will be 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials in lieu of flowers are requested to the family.
Armando died Sunday, May 16, 2010, at North Memorial Hospital, Robbinsdale. He was 81 years old.
Armando was born February 10, 1929, at Brownsville, Texas, to Margarito and Victoriana (Perez) Espinosa. He married Cruz Vasquez on Nov. 3, 1953, in Winnebago. Armando lived most of his life at Elmore, MN and attended Iglesias Del Calvario Church at Guckeen where he was very active and taught Sunday School. He worked for Winnebago Industries as a electrician. He also worked for nurseries in Elmore and Easton. Other places of employment were with St. Lukes Nursing Home, and Tafco both of Blue Earth. Armando enjoyed gardening, fishing, landscaping, bowling, playing Spanish Bingo and playing Monopoly. He was a very hard worker.
Armando especially enjoyed spending time with his family and flying the Christian, American and Mexican Flag.
Armando is survived by 10 children: Anita (Jose) Aguilar of Brownsville, Texas, J. R. (Deb) Espinosa of Spencer, Iowa, Mary Hove of Pierre, S.D., James (Alfredia) Espinosa of Albert Lea, Jane (Rick) Weaver of Stewartville, John (Sandy) Espinosa of Union, Neb., Joseph Espinosa and partner Greg Waletski of Minneapolis, Fran (John) Bliss of Albert Lea, Frank (Ramie) Espinosa of Elmore, Mike (Julie) Espinosa of Albert Lea; 38 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; sister, Celia Espinosa of Brownsville, Texas; two nieces: Margaret Espinosa of Wisconsin and Patti Espinosa of Winnebago.
Armando is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Cruz Espinosa; children: daughter, Christina Garcia, and two sons in infancy: Manuel and baby John; six brothers and three sisters.