Maria Perez, 79, Blooming Prairie

Maria Louisa Perez, age 79, of Blooming Prairie, passed away Sunday, June 18, 2023, at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie.

Maria Louisa Sanchez was born on March 12, 1944, in Poteet, Texas, to Antonio and Theresa (Herrera) Sanchez. She wed Rudolpho Rivera and the couple was blessed with two children, Ruby, and Rudy.

Maria moved to Blooming Prairie, in 1964. In 1967, Maria was united in marriage to Norberto C. Perez and the couple lived happily until his death in 1986. Maria was a longtime member of St. Columbanus Catholic Church. She and Norberto volunteered and helped the migrant community in the area. Maria loved thrifting, antiquing, and going to garage sales. She enjoyed dancing, gardening flowers and vegetables, canning, and will be remembered for all the good food she made, especially her tamales, tortillas, and rice. Maria was the rock of her family.

Maria is survived by her daughter, Ruby Perez of Blooming Prairie; son, Rudy Perez of Blooming Prairie; granddaughter, Maria “Sammy” (Randy Hartwig) Perez of Rosemount; great-grandson, Malakai Hartwig; four-legged companion, Baby; brothers, Jose Sanchez of Blooming Prairie, Juan (Celia) Sanchez of Owatonna, Glen Sanchez of Rochester, and Carlos (Lynae) Sanchez; sisters, Dominga Coughlin of Dodge Center, and Guadalupe (Glen) Hoheisel of Rushford; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norberto; parents, Antonio and Theresa; infant brothers, Lasert Frank Sanchez and George Louis Sanchez; and longtime companion, Domingo Flores.

The memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Maria will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church. Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.