Carmen Renteria

Carmen Q. Renteria, age 89, of Willmar, died Tuesday evening, June 11, at Carris Health Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar after injuries she suffered from a fall.

Graveside services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 14, at Cloverleaf Memorial Park Cemetery in Willmar.  Arrangements are with the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Carmen Quiroz Renteria was born to the late Tomas Quiroz and Luisa (Cordova) Quiroz on July 16, 1929 in Austin, Texas.  On November 29, 1963, Carmen was reunited in marriage to Raul Renteria, in Austin, Texas and moved to Willmar, Minnesota where she raised her children.  Carmen resided the past several years at Rice Care Center in Willmar.

Carmen loved to dance and enjoyed music, especially Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley on the guitar.  She loved very much the yearly vacations to Austin, Texas, where she would spend time with her siblings, dance at the Iron Gate Bar with her late husband Raul Renteria and drink cold beers with lime.  Her children were her true love; her pride and joy.  Carmen was truly an authentic individual who will be remembered for her class, sharp wit, and being a great wife, mom and grandma.

She is survived by her daughter, Gina Charlene Renteria of San Francisco, CA; grandchildren Jaydon and Jacob Renteria of Willmar, and other grandchildren, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raul Renteria; daughter, Gloria Jean Bender; son, Thomas Randolf Renteria; daughter-in-law, Michelle Renteria; and four brothers and three sisters.