Elias Donaldo Fuentes

Elias D. Fuentes, age 53, of Willmar, passed away unexpectedly Saturday morning, January 20, at Centra Care Rice Memorial Hospital.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, January 26, at the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.  Visitation will continue at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, at the Church of St. Mary.  Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Elias Donaldo Fuentes was born on May 19, 1970, in El Negrito, Yoro, Honduras, the son of Ines and Judith (Lopez Montoya) Fuentes.  He grew up and received his education in Honduras.  In 1998, Elias immigrated to the United States.  On September 20, 2000, Elias was married to Victoria Lynn Berres and they made their home in the Willmar community.  Elias was employed at Jennie-O Foods in Willmar for over 22 years.  He was an avid soccer and volleyball fan and was dedicated Real Madrid.  He cherished the time spent with his family and friends, especially his daughters.

Elias was such a hardworking man and a loving husband and father.  He has always been a hero and will continue to be.  He loved to joke and laugh with others.  Elias always stepped forward to make things better for anyone that needed his help.  He will forever be in our hearts and never be forgotten and will forever be proud of his children and family.  He was always looking forward to seeing his family everyday coming home from work.  He always made sure his family had everything they needed and more.  Elias lit up any room he would walk into and had such a great personality.  He didn’t deserve to leave us so soon but is in a better place.  May he rest easy and continue to watch over his family, gone but never forgotten.

He is survived by his wife, Victoria; children, Cody Hinrichs (and fiancé, Rocio Perez) of Holland, Michigan, Paige Fuentes of Willmar and Hailey Fuentes of Willmar.  Also surviving is his mother, Judith Lopez Montoya of Honduras; three brothers, Armando Fuentes of Willmar, Ines Fuentes of Honduras and Wilmer Fuentes of Willmar; four sisters, Suyapa Fuentes of Honduras, Gladiz Fuentes of Spain, Leticia Fuentes of Willmar, and Judith Fuentes of Honduras, besides many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, one brother, Carlos and one nephew, Xavier Fuentes.