John Leon Garibay

John was born in Winnemucca, Nevada to parents, Vidal Jos and Nicolassa (nee Rios) Garibay. At an early age, John's education was cut short when his father died unexpectedly. As the eldest child of five, he started working to provide for his mother and younger siblings. The family soon moved to Mexico and after helping his mother raise his siblings, John met Maria De Los Angeles. They had four children before they eventually separated. Years later, he met Maria De Jesus and had a daughter. John returned to the United States after Maria De Jesus had died and worked as a seasonal migrant worker moving from state to state for many years before finding work at Tony Downs Foods. While working there, John met and married Esperanza Cruz in 1975. They set roots in Madelia for 43 years, where they raised their 9 children and 2 adopted children. John's favorite hobbies and memorable moments include: singing in church, playing his guitar, telling stories, gardening, canning, pickling, cooking and making salsa. John Leon Garibay age 87, of Madelia, MN died on March 22, 2017, at the Luther Memorial Home in Madelia, surrounded by his loving family. John is survived by his wife, Esperanza Garibay of Madelia; children, Juan (Olga) Garibay of Mission, TX, Maria Alejandrina Garibay of Mexico, Ofelia Garibay of Mexico, Jos V. Garibay of St. Peter, Jorge (Anna) Garibay of Madelia, John V. (Faith) Garibay of Burnsville, Blanca Garibay of Madelia, Alma Garibay of Madelia, Juana Garibay of Blooming Prairie, Amy Garibay of Mankato, Adriana (Hayden) Northup of Mankato, Jos J. Garibay of Brownsville, TX, and Mikey Garibay of Madelia; 20 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren, and sister, Gavina (Juan) Gavia of Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by parents, Vidal Jos and Nicolassa Garibay; brothers, Lalo and Manuel Garibay; sister, Toa Garibay; son, Aurelio Garibay and daughters, Josepha, Sanjuana and Crystal Garibay. Visitation 10:00 am - 11:00 am Tuesday, March 28, 2017 Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel 303 E. Main St. Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Service Information 11:00 am Tuesday, March 28, 2017 Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel 303 E. Main St. Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Interment Information Calvary Cemetery, Madelia East, Co. Hwy 3 Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Reception A reception will take place at the American Legion in Madelia immediately following the interment.