Minnie Cantu Cruz

Minnie Cantu Cruz, age 60, of Faribault, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at her home.

Minnie Cantu was born on August 25 1963, to Apolinar Cantu Sr. & Alicia Rodriguez in Weslaco, TX. There, she embraced her love for education by graduating from La Feria High School in 1981 and Texas Southmost College in Brownsville, TX in 1987. Minnie always danced to the beat of her own drum. She grew up loving muscle cars, motorcycles, music, and teasing her siblings, Ruth Ramon and Apolinar “Junior” Cantu.  

She relocated from Pharr, TX to Faribault, MN in 2001 with her two boys, Bryan Cantu and David Gonzalez. Having to start fresh, Minnie cemented herself as the “go-to” insurance agent for the majority of the Latino community in Southern Minnesota. Minnie was recognized and approached anywhere she went by all communities. What was most recognizable, is that she wore her heart in her smile. Everyone knew Minnie’s genuine desire to have an everlasting impact on people by the presence she exuded. People turned to her for more than just insurance needs. They would seek her advice, wisdom, and when a laugh was needed. She selflessly embraced the opportunity to sympathize with people and shoulder the weight of any feelings if it meant helping somebody else. She loved to work with people and never turned anyone away. Rather, Minnie embraced everyone with a welcoming smile accompanied with the warmest hug. 

Minnie valued family and education above everything else. Minnie was called the world’s best, positively strict, mother by her boys, embodied the phrase “World’s Best Grandma” by her grandkids, called the "craziest sister" by her siblings, most loving wife by her husband, and embraced being the biggest rock of the entire family.

Minnie will forever be remembered by her contagious smile, laugh, strength, and more than anything, the love she shared with everyone she came into contact with.

She is survived by her mother, Alicia Rodriguez, her father, Apolinar Cantu Sr., her sister, Ruth Ramon, her brother-in-law, Martin Ramon, her stepbrother, Anthony Cantu, her stepbrother, Abraham Cantu, her son, Bryan Cantu, her son, David Gonzalez, her husband, Habacuc Cruz Blanco, her granddaughter, Lillian Cantu, her granddaughter, Cecilia Cantu, her niece, Miranda Ramon, her niece and God-child, Kimberly Ramon, her niece, Zenaida Ramon, and her two fur-grandchildren, Oliver Joseph, and Teddy Bear.

She was preceded in death by her son, Enrique “Henry” Cantu; and brother, Apolinar Cantu Jr..

A private family service will be held.

A public visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home, Faribault.

In lieu of flowers, Minnie's family prefers memorials be designated to Bethlehem Academy or the Divine Mercy Catholic School United for Our Future Project in memory of Minnie.