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Visitation
Monday, June 29, 2009
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM EDT
St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church
195 W. 13th St
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 392-6700
Service
Monday, June 29, 2009
1:00 PM to 2:05 PM EDT
St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church
195 W. 13th St.
Holland, MI 49423
Contributions
At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.
American Heart Association / American Stroke Association Memorial or Tribute Donation
PO Box 840692
Dallas, TX 75284-0692
(800) 242-8721
Web Site
American Lung Association of Michigan
1475 E. Twelve Mile Rd.
Madison Heights, MI 48071
1 (800) 678-5864
Driving Directions
Web Site
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Life Story / Obituary
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Trinidad Guzman was a quiet, gifted man, whose love for his family was evident in his work and life. No project was impossible when put in his hands, and each challenge was met with determination. He was devoted to his wife, protective of his children, and committed to his grandchildren. Though serious by nature, Trinidad was most happy when surrounded by his family.
Trinidad was born July 30, 1921 in Yoakum, Texas to José Maria and Mercedes (Vera) Guzman. He was the tenthof eleven children, whose father was a farm worker and mother labored alongside her husband, served as a midwife, and sold handcrafts and clothing that she sewed. In this and many other ways—such as making their own lye soap and clothes for the whole family—the Guzmans were very self sufficient. They were also a close family at work and at play.
Being the youngest boy, Trinidad was a little more spoiled than the other children, but he still did his share of work. He started doing chores at an early age and even learned to shear sheep. But childhood wasn’t all about work. Trinidad spent a lot of time round the river, fishing and hunting with his brothers. He and Ruperto and Roque were especially good friends as well as brothers.
Trinidad was a very responsible young man and took life seriously. When he wanted to court a lovely young woman named Concepcion Barbosa, he asked her parents for permission. Their families knew one another, so when they decided to get married a year later, they not only joined hearts, they united two families.
Trinidad and Concepcion made their wedding vows on December 14, 1941 and lived in the family home. Their first child was born two years later, a sweet little girl they named Rita Hortencia. Then they were delighted by the birth of their sons, Armando and Ray. But, very sadly, when Ray was six months old, Rita became suddenly ill and died at the age of three. Their sorrow was eased, in part, with the births of four more beautiful children: Carmen, Beatrice, Tencha and another little girl they named Rita.
The Guzman family moved with their harvest work from Minnesota to Wisconsin, Illinois to Oklahoma. Trinidad reared his children with strictness and love. He disciplined them, but mostly, he taught them by example. He had so much talent and experience to pass on to his children, like building and gardening, upholstering furniture and sewing clothes, butchering livestock and much, much more. He had a great mechanical mind and a solid sense of direction. He could build without drawings or measurements and could sense when someone was traveling the wrong direction, even on long trips when he was away from familiar territory. Being a perfectionist, Trinidad did everything well.
In 1964, the family settled in Plainfield, Wisconsin and lived there until 1986, when they moved to Holland, Michigan. They put down roots in the parish of St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church and, in time, became grandparents. Grandchildren gave Trinidad even more reason to create and build, teach and lead. He crafted toys for them (even a walker for his grandchild), taught them practical skills, and passed on the traditional Mexican songs that he loved to sing. Trinidad became softer and more playful as he grew older and fostered fun-loving relationships with his grandchildren.
Trinidad Guzman, age 87, of Holland, died Wednesday June 24, 2009 at Holland Community Hospital.
A man of noble character and strong values, he leaves a legacy of love and faithfulness to his beloved family.
Trinidad is survived by his daughters, Carmen and Jerry Jones of Phoenix, AZ, Beatrice and Tom Kutscher of Kerrville, TX, Tencha and Steve Lewallen of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, and Rita Ann Meurer of Holland, sons, Armando and Mary Ruth Guzman and Ray and Anita Guzman both of Holland, 11 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, a sister, Josephina Moreno of Houston, TX. Trinidad was preceded in death by his wife, Concepcion in 2003, a daughter, Rita Hortencia Guzman in 1946, sisters, Tonia Ramon, Francisca Ramos, Andrea Olivares, Marta Hernandez and Locarita Guzman, brothers, Salvador Vera, Roque Guzman, Gilberto Guzman and Ruperto Guzman. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Monday at St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church, 195 W. 13th St. Holland. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 1:00 PM Monday at the Church. Memorial may be given to the Michigan Heart Association or the American Lung Association. Arrangements are by the Mulder Chapel of Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, 188 W. 32nd St. Holland. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory for the family or sign a guest register.
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