Minnie
Minnie Rael
d. March 17, 2017
Beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Minnie M. Rael, 87, a resident of Truchas, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2017. Minnie was born on September 18, 1929 in Truchas NM to Herculano and Senaida Montoya. She was preceded in death by her last born son “Baby Boy” Rael, parents, Herculano and Senaida Montoya, brothers, Filiberto Montoya and Tito Montoya, sisters, Celina Martinez, Adelia Martinez, Adonelia Montoya, and father and mother in-law, Genaro and Emma Rael, brothers in-law, Chet Smith, Alonzo Maez, Rufino Martinez, Paul Archuleta, Ovaido Rael, Modesto Espinoza, and former son-in-law, Donald Vieira Sr.
Minnie was a graduate of Menaul High School in Albuquerque NM, class of 1950. She worked at the Espanola Hospital until her marriage in November of 1951. She lived with her husband and children in military posts throughout the United States and Germany until his retirement from the U.S. Army in March 1972, finally settling in Truchas after 25 years of military service. She was hired as director of the Child Development Center in Truchas, a position she held for twelve years until November 1989. She was often remembered by many of her former students who attended school at the center. Minnie was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Truchas. She was a religious educator, teaching catechism for many years and donating countless hours of service to the church. Our mother was very multi-talented and it showed in all the beautiful crocheted doilies, blankets, quilts, and embroidered items that she made. She sewed many beautiful dresses for her daughters and granddaughters. She loved to cook and made the best tortillas and biscochitos. She was a very devoted daughter to her parents and missed them dearly after their passing. She loved her children and grandchildren deeply. All her family and friends will miss her dearly. She is now with our Lord and Savior in heaven.
She is survived by her husband Gilberto Rael of 66 years; her daughters, Henrietta “Reta” Harrison and husband Chris, Loretta “Lucy” Brazil and husband Eloy; sons, David Rael and wife Yvette, Michael Rael and wife Jeannie and former; daughters-in-law, Wendy Romero and Eileen Rael; her grandchildren, Lindsey Halstead and husband Bruce Sr., Donald Vieira Jr., Jennifer Halstead, Terry Halstead, Mitchell Halstead, and Bruce Halstead Jr., Isaac Brazil and wife Pearl, Toni Marie Pena and husband Albert, Matthew Brazil and wife Jena, Jamie Armijo and husband Matt, Jessica Larimore and husband Paul, Christina Rael and husband Lane Sanders, Nicole Rael and fiancé Doug Donovan, Shayla Beavers, Katrina Martinez and husband Jesse, Brandon Rael and wife Alexandra, Kimberly Smith and husband Elijah, Kristen Ortiz and husband Mario, and Alonzo Rael; great-grandchildren, Kaylee Chavez, Shawn and Jordan Martinez, Dominic Rael, Olivia and Raelle Larimore, Liam and Landyn Sanders, Gabriel and Alexis Pena, Bailey and Brynn Brazil, Braelynn and Camden Brazil, Skye and Ezra Smith, and Nick, Noah, Jay, Hayden and Ryder Halstead. Emilia Montoya, wife of her brother Filiberto Montoya, Modesta Montoya, wife of her brother Tito Montoya, Genaro Martinez, husband of her sister, Celina Martinez, Ernesto Martinez, husband of her sister, Adelia Martinez, and sister, Margaret Smith, and in-laws, Cora Maez, Alice Archuleta, Mabel Martinez, Miquelita “Kelly” Espinoza, Priscilla and Bob Sioss, Linda and Mike Ladaman, Luis and Dianna Rael, and many cousins, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
The family wants to thank Christina Rael, Shannon Sullivan, Doctors and Staff of the Truchas Clinic, and Del Corazon Hospice for all they did to care for Minnie in her last years of life. Public visitation will begin on Monday, March 27, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory, with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Truchas, with a burial to follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Reception will follow the burial at the Knights of Columbus in Arroyo Seco. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. The family of Minnie M. Rael has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477-www.devargasfuneral.com
Minnie was a graduate of Menaul High School in Albuquerque NM, class of 1950. She worked at the Espanola Hospital until her marriage in November of 1951. She lived with her husband and children in military posts throughout the United States and Germany until his retirement from the U.S. Army in March 1972, finally settling in Truchas after 25 years of military service. She was hired as director of the Child Development Center in Truchas, a position she held for twelve years until November 1989. She was often remembered by many of her former students who attended school at the center. Minnie was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Truchas. She was a religious educator, teaching catechism for many years and donating countless hours of service to the church. Our mother was very multi-talented and it showed in all the beautiful crocheted doilies, blankets, quilts, and embroidered items that she made. She sewed many beautiful dresses for her daughters and granddaughters. She loved to cook and made the best tortillas and biscochitos. She was a very devoted daughter to her parents and missed them dearly after their passing. She loved her children and grandchildren deeply. All her family and friends will miss her dearly. She is now with our Lord and Savior in heaven.
She is survived by her husband Gilberto Rael of 66 years; her daughters, Henrietta “Reta” Harrison and husband Chris, Loretta “Lucy” Brazil and husband Eloy; sons, David Rael and wife Yvette, Michael Rael and wife Jeannie and former; daughters-in-law, Wendy Romero and Eileen Rael; her grandchildren, Lindsey Halstead and husband Bruce Sr., Donald Vieira Jr., Jennifer Halstead, Terry Halstead, Mitchell Halstead, and Bruce Halstead Jr., Isaac Brazil and wife Pearl, Toni Marie Pena and husband Albert, Matthew Brazil and wife Jena, Jamie Armijo and husband Matt, Jessica Larimore and husband Paul, Christina Rael and husband Lane Sanders, Nicole Rael and fiancé Doug Donovan, Shayla Beavers, Katrina Martinez and husband Jesse, Brandon Rael and wife Alexandra, Kimberly Smith and husband Elijah, Kristen Ortiz and husband Mario, and Alonzo Rael; great-grandchildren, Kaylee Chavez, Shawn and Jordan Martinez, Dominic Rael, Olivia and Raelle Larimore, Liam and Landyn Sanders, Gabriel and Alexis Pena, Bailey and Brynn Brazil, Braelynn and Camden Brazil, Skye and Ezra Smith, and Nick, Noah, Jay, Hayden and Ryder Halstead. Emilia Montoya, wife of her brother Filiberto Montoya, Modesta Montoya, wife of her brother Tito Montoya, Genaro Martinez, husband of her sister, Celina Martinez, Ernesto Martinez, husband of her sister, Adelia Martinez, and sister, Margaret Smith, and in-laws, Cora Maez, Alice Archuleta, Mabel Martinez, Miquelita “Kelly” Espinoza, Priscilla and Bob Sioss, Linda and Mike Ladaman, Luis and Dianna Rael, and many cousins, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
The family wants to thank Christina Rael, Shannon Sullivan, Doctors and Staff of the Truchas Clinic, and Del Corazon Hospice for all they did to care for Minnie in her last years of life. Public visitation will begin on Monday, March 27, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory, with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Truchas, with a burial to follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Reception will follow the burial at the Knights of Columbus in Arroyo Seco. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. The family of Minnie M. Rael has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477-www.devargasfuneral.com
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