Modesto Gonzalez

MODESTO GONZALEZ

Modesto Gonzalez, 91 of Laredo, Texas passed away in the comfort of his daughter Marta’s home in Hammond, Indiana, as was his wish, surrounded by his family, on October 17, 2018. Modesto told his family that he had lived three amazing lives.

In his first life, he grew up in Laredo and Nuevo Laredo. At the age of 3, Modesto lost his father to a construction accident forcing him to begin work at an early age. He did odd jobs and migrant farm work along the Texas border, New Mexico and as far north as Wisconsin and Michigan.

In his second life he married the love of his life, Anita Garcia, who preceded him in death after 47 wonderful years of marriage. He followed his brothers north, along with many lifelong friends to work at Inland Steel in East Chicago. Where he remained for 36 years as a heavy equipment operator until his retirement in May of 1985. During this time, he also raised five daughters in Indiana and prepared them for life with college educations and a good work ethic.

His third life began with his return to Laredo, Texas along with his wife Anita where they joined his brother Manuel (Carmen) Gonzalez in retirement. Modesto took great pride in maintaining his home, yard, his fruit trees and flower garden. In November of 2015 it became apparent that he could no longer live alone and he agreed to return to the cold winters of Indiana to enjoy the company and care of his family.

Modesto was preceded in death by his parents, Sostenes and Cipriana (Rivas) Gonzalez; his brother, Aberlardo (Benita), sister-in-laws Juanita Martinez, Carmen N. Gonzalez and brother-in-laws Ramon Garcia and Jesus Garcia.

Modesto is survived by his brother Manuel Gonzalez and his five daughters: Anita Gonzalez (Michael) Clem; Maria Luisa Gonzalez (Robert Velez); Irma (Robert) Abeyta; Marta Gonzalez (Hector) Espinosa and Lydia (Jose A.) Zapata; grandchildren David M. (Sandra) Abeyta, Elizabeth R. (Andrew) Gepner, Angelica M. (Miguel) De La Rosa, Esteban L. Espinosa, Martin A. Aleman, Jose Angel and Analee Zapata.

While back in Indiana Modesto had the glorious pleasure of welcoming 4 great grandsons into the family, David M. Jr. and Aiden R. Abeyta along with Alexander J. and Sebastian N. De La Rosa. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Juliana Cavazos, brother-in-law Pedro Garcia, his sister-in-law Berta Resendiz, many nieces, nephews, and wonderful life long friends in Indiana, Illinois, Texas and throughout the country. Modesto will return home to Laredo, Texas where he will be laid to rest in the family plot next to his beloved wife Anita as he so longed for the warmth of her arms and the comfort of the Texas hot climate.

The family wishes to thank the Burns-Kish Funeral Home of Indiana and Joe Jackson Heights of Laredo for assisting with making this final trip home to Texas.

Condolences will be received the evening of Wednesday, the 24th of October 2018 from 5 to 9 o’clock in the evening at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapel, 719 Loring at Cortez, Laredo, TX 78040.

Funeral cortege will depart the chapel at 9:40 in the morning of Thursday, the 25th of October 2018 to Christ the King Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 o’clock in the morning.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels, 719 Loring at Cortez, Laredo, TX 78040, 956.722.0001 as well as Burns Kish Funeral Home in Indiana.