Isabel C. “Ysabel” Cervantes, 85, of Blooming Prairie, died Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011, at Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie.

Isabel was born on Nov. 19, 1925, in Seguin, Texas, to Ismael and Julia (Soto) Cervantes. She grew up on a ranch near Tyler, Texas. She married Guillermo “Willie” Olivo in San Marcos, Texas, on Aug. 25, 1943. She was a farm worker and a housewife. The couple moved to Blue Earth, Minn., in April 1958. Willie died Jan. 8, 1969, at the age of 49. In 1972, Isabel married Angel Cervantes of Blue Earth, Minnesota. After Angel’s death in Sept. 1982, she lived with her daughter Mary and Richard Gonzales in Elmore, Minnesota and later in Owatonna, Minn. In 2004, she moved to Prairie Manor Care Center and was a member of St. Columbanus Catholic Church. Isabel enjoyed acrylic painting on dish towels and pillow cases, embroidery, watching her favorite soap opera, The Guiding Light, watching Univision, and participating in bingo, casino, bowling and other activities at Prairie Manor. In August, she attended and enjoyed the Steele County Fair, “A Gift of Heaven in 2011,” with her daughter, Vicki, and it was truly was a gift from heaven. She especially enjoyed dancing and whistling. She was proud of her opportunity to be interviewed by Channel 6 about stimulus checks, and to be chosen as Prairie Manor’s Valentine Sweetheart in 2009, along with her friend Leon.

Survivors include her children, Polo (Elizabeth, “Liz”) Olivo of Jacksonville, Fla., David (Josephine “Fina”) Olivo of Blue Earth, Minn., Mary O. (Richard Y.) Gonzales of Owatonna, Catarina (Nieves) Martinez of Northfield, Minn., M. Vicki (Ken Erickson) Olivo of Owatonna, Joe (Carrie Jean) Olivo of Blooming Prairie, Willie Jr. (Kim Wegener) Olivo of Mankato, Minn., Gloria (Scott Steele) Alphs of Wells, Minn.; 52 grandchildren; 68 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; three step-children, Julian (Irene) Cervantes of Mission, Texas, Mark (Darlene) Cervantes of Blue Earth, Mary V. Doyle of Fairmont; sister, Juliana (Antonio) Ramirez of San Marcos, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ismael and Julia; both husbands, Willie and Angel; two daughters, Rosa O. Gonzales and Carmel Jahnke; two brothers, Miguel Cervantes and Lorenzo Cervantes; sister, Catarina Gonzales; step-daughter, Katherine Cervantes and two sons-in-law, George Jahnke and Gary Randall.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie with Father William Kulas officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Blue Earth, at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7. Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.