Zoila M. Calderon, 90, of Albert Lea passed away Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at her home surrounded by her loving family. A funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Kurt Farrell will officiate. Interment will take place at a later date. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m.,with a time of sharing beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday and one hour prior to the services at the church Friday.

Zoila was born April 7, 1929, in Albert Lea to John and Emilia (Contreras) Galvan. She attended Hammer School.

On May 24, 1947, Zoila married the love of her life, Reuben Calderon, at St. Theodore Catholic Church, the same church at which she was baptized and confirmed. To this union, eight children were born. The couple lived in Columbus, Ohio, for a short time before making permanent residence in Albert Lea. Zoila was a homemaker while the children were young and then worked full-time at Wilson & Co. for nearly 20 years before her retirement.

Zoila was a craftswoman who often got lost in her quilting, crotchet and cross-stitching projects. With an eye for style, Zoila enjoyed shopping for fashion and home design. Zoila was enamored with the Hollywood movie stars, but no one was more important to her than her husband of 72 years, Reuben.

Grateful in having shared in Zoila’s life are her husband, Reuben Calderon, of Albert Lea; her sons Mario (Kathy) Calderon of Eagan, Reuben Jr. (Jon) Calderon of Dripping Springs, Texas, Tony Calderon of Kearney, Nebraska, and Steven (Wanda Avery) Calderon of Burnsville; her daughters Cathy Calderon (Doug Barth) of Austin and Cindy Calderon of Albert Lea; 21 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her sisters Diane (Bruce) Olson and Rose (Dennis) Olson, both of Albert Lea; and many nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.

Zoila was preceded in death by her parents John and Emilia; her two sons, Robert and Michael Calderon; and her siblings John Galvan, Judy Gasca, Sandy Cuellar and Anita Mickelson.

Blessed be her memory!