Arlina (Gonzales) Enriquez

Arlina Enriquez, 74, of Willmar, died Tuesday, September 2 at Rice Hospital in Willmar. Her funeral service will be 3:00 pm, Saturday, September 6 at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Friday, September 5 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Willmar. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org

Arlina Enriquez was born on December 21, 1950, to Seferino and Leonor (Lisama) Gonzales in Cotulla, Texas. She was a Carrizo Springs Wildcat from elementary school through the 6th grade. She travelled all throughout the midwest as a kid with her father and siblings. These memories would later be great stories of her youth and adventures she would later share with the family she created. Throughout her life, she worked in many roles—including housekeeping, babysitting, and harvest labor. Her favorite role was being the caretaker of her family: to her six children, her grandchildren, and most importantly, her father, Seferino through his final days. There was nothing more she loved than her family.

In 1991, Arlina moved to Renville, Minnesota as a migrant worker and remained there until 1999, when she settled in Willmar to be closer to family. In Willmar, she found great joy in caring for her grandchildren buying them many treats (like her favorite treat, a Strawberry ice cream sundae) and taking them on adventures. Later in life, Arlina moved to Houston, Texas to take care of some of her grandchildren. In 2023, Arlina moved back to Minnesota where she lived at Glen Oaks then Bethesda. Arlina was loved at any place she would live and left a great impression on many.

Arlina attended Mahaniam Assembly of God and also attended services at Carrie’s Chapel while at Bethesda. She enjoyed playing bingo, soaking up the sun, going for walks, shopping, listening to music, dancing, and doing arts and crafts. She loved watching game shows, especially Wheel of Fortune. Arlina also cherished time with her friends old and new. Outgoing and warmhearted, she valued the many friendships she built throughout her life. Loving others the way Arlina did is a rare gift to find. She was a friend to all and loved by all.

Arlina is survived by her children: Yolanda Jaimes, Robert Enriquez, JoseLuis (Betty) Enriquez, Sammy (Sandra) Enriquez, Cristina (Lorenzo) Chavez, and Isenia (Juan) Medina; 30 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; siblings: Jose (Nieves) Gonzales, Maria Olivia Vargas, and Alicia Garcia; and many, many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Seferino and Leonor; her grandson, Robert Enriquez III; her nephew, Gabriel Gonzales and siblings: Seferino Jr. Gonzales, Juan Gonzales, and Santiago Gonzales.

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