Rosario Riza

Rosario Riza, age 69, of Willmar, formerly of Sacred Heart, died Saturday morning, July 13, at Rice Care Center in Willmar.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar with visitation 2 hours prior to the service.  Interment will be 4 p.m. Thursday at Fairview Cemetery in  Renville.

Maria del Rosario Riza was born March 26, 1950, in Eagle Pass, Texas, the daughter of Manuela Vitela and Juan Gonzales.  She grew up and attended school in Eagle Pass.  In February 1968, she married Jesus Melgoza Riza.  They lived in Eagle Pass, where they owned and operated a thrift store.  In 1994, they moved to Sacred Heart.  Rosario has resided the past few years at Rice Care Center in Willmar.

Rosario was very religious and enjoyed attending church services.  She also enjoyed sewing and watching Spanish soap operas.

She is survived by her husband, Jesus M. Riza of Sacred Heart, MN; three daughters, Juanita Barajas of Sacred Heart, MN, Veronica Menchaca of Willmar, MN; and Jessica Riza of New London, MN; and seven grandchildren.  Also surviving are her siblings, Adrian (and Guadalupe) Gonzales of Eagle Pass, TX, Teresa (and Oscar) Bustos of Willmar, MN, Juanita (and Rodolfo) Carranco of Wyoming, MI, Maria de La Paz (and Juan) Menchaca of Buffalo Lake, MN, Maria Del Socorro (and Natividad) Rosales of Manistee, MI, Juan Gonzales of Glencoe, MN, and Adam (and Anna) Gonzales of Laredo, TX; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Manuela Vitela and Juan Gonzales; a son, Fernando Riza in 2000; and a stillborn son, Fernando.