Augustin Almanza (Augie as he was called by close family & friends) was born on December 23, 1925 to Maria (Rivas) Almanza and Agustin Almanza, in Chicago, Illinois. Augustin passed away on November 21, 2024 at the age of 98 yrs.
Augustin Almanza’s family was originally from Guanajuato, Mexico. His family grew up during the depression years and made do with what little they had. He was the oldest of 8 children and spent much of his childhood with his beloved tio (uncle) Don Luis Almanza in the border towns of Texas: Pharr, Harlingen, Laredo, etc. He worked the vegetable fields alongside his tio Luis.
Augustin enlisted in the US army when he was 19 yrs old during WWII and was stationed in Frankfort, Germany. He was fortunate to serve as the war was ending and he did not engage on the battlefield. He was discharged in 1946.
Augustin made his way to the Holland, Michigan area working the vegetable/crop fields, and soon met Adela Lopez. They were married for 25 years raising 10 children. During the time of his children’s upbringing he strongly believed in education and secured books and an encyclopedia set from thrift stores. From barely speaking English in the army, he became fluent in English and always enjoyed reading detective/true crime magazines and comic books. His children also shared in the enjoyment of reading. He enjoyed cooking different recipes with food that influenced his children’s taste buds.
Augustin remarried to Jesus (Sue) Olivia Toscano until her death in 2010.
Augustin and Sue moved to Gary, Indiana and he worked at the Inland Steel Company in Hammond, Indiana until his retirement in 1989. Augustin then lived in the valley area of Texas during his retirement from Inland Steel Company. He would ride the Greyhound Bus every summer to visit his children and grandchildren in Holland, Mi. and he also traveled to SanDiego to visit his son Joe & his family. He stayed permanently in Holland after the last bus trip in 2019 and lived with his son Andrew.
Augustin was known for his mechanical and electrical abilities. He enjoyed tinkering and fixing whatever needed to be fixed including vehicles. He enjoyed browsing the thrift stores to acquire tools to fix things but also handy household items.
Augustin always started his day with exercising and reading the bible. He easily climbed the stairs to his second floor bedroom and took countless trips to Walmart, Meijer, Sam’s Club, Menards, Harbor Freight, and thrift stores. This kept him going to the ripe old age of 98+ yrs.
Augustin kept as busy as he could, helping with household chores such as washing/drying dishes daily, weekly vacuuming, taking out trash & recyclables, and helping care for his son’s dogs until his body tired the last two weeks of his life.
Augustin is survived by his children; Linda (Brad) Bodkins, Alicia (Carlos) Vera, Andrew Almanza, Jane (Dave) Bazan, Albert (Nancy) Almanza, Irene (Edward) Serrano, Mary (Rudy) Beltran, Esther (Hector) Zuniga, Cynthia (Mark) Quintero all from Holland and Joe Almanza from SanDiego, CA. His brothers; Antonio (Rose) Almanza of Holland, Luis Almanza of Pharr, TX; sister Connie (Abel) Vigil of Allendale and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Augustin was preceded in death by: his wife, Jesus (Sue) Olivia Almanza; parents, Agustin Almanza & Maria (Mary) Morales; sisters, Lydia Casteneda, Amparo Barrientos, Lucita DeLaCruz; brother, Felipe Almanza; granddaughter, Alyssa Rose Zuniga, daughter in-law, Betty Almanza.
Special thanks to Hospice of Holland and Cornerstone Caregiver, Noelia Campbell.
Cremation has taken place and a private graveside service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Holland.
Professional service entrusted to the Mulder Chapel.
Comments