NEW ULM–Maria Weller, age 91, passed away at her home in New Ulm on November 20, 2023.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. on Tuesday November 28, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Ulm. Burial will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery in New Ulm.Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Mary’s Church prior to the Mass. The Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes of New Ulm are assisting the family with arrangements at this time. To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org

She was born Maria López Galán on August 24, 1932, in Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain, to Francisco López Gago and Francisca Galán Cabrál. She was fifth in a family of five boys and five girls.

Maria met William “Bill” Weller of New Ulm while he was stationed at the U.S. Navy base in Rota, Cádiz, Spain, where Maria owned a restaurant/bar. They were married on May 9, 1965, in Jerez and the following year settled in New Ulm, where they brought up eight children: four sons and four daughters. This year, they celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary.

Maria, whose nickname was “Cuchi,” was a vibrant and affectionate woman whose exuberant sense of humor would make others laugh and feel joyful. Her family was her life purpose and she gave generously of her love and attention, always looking after everyone’s well-being.

She was a pillar of strength who kept steadfast in her faith despite the losses and hardships in her life, beginning at age 14 with the death of her mother, and at age 16 with the death of her father, and consequently taking on the maternal role of raising her five younger siblings.

Maria suffered greatly after two of her children died unexpectedly, yet she remained a rock for her family.

She worked for AMPI and retired from 3M in New Ulm. A talented seamstress, she would often mend clothes and do alterations for her family and friends. She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening in her yard on South Valley Street. She loved cooking for her family and would have supper on the table at 5 o’clock sharp. “Come on!” she would yell when it was time to eat.

Maria will be missed dearly by her family and friends. May her soul rest in the arms of Jesus Christ.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Georgina Galán, on November 24, 1973; a son, Francis Weller, on May 27, 2015; her parents, Francisco and Francisca; brothers, Juan López Galán, Modesto “Kiko” López Galán, and José “Pepe” López Galán; and sisters, Rosa López Galán and Antonia López Galán.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Weller of New Ulm; sons, Javier “Harvey” Weller of Meriden, Federico “Fred” (Cyndy) Weller of Owatonna, and Franklin “Frank” Weller of Owatonna; daughters, Olga (David) Johnson of New Ulm, Tammy (Mark Liebl) Weller of Hanska, and Cindy (Rick) Gorter of Pipestone; grandchildren, Derik Johnson of New Ulm, Alicia (Russell) Sjogren of Gibbon, Rebecca “Becca” (Jesus) Castellanos of Denver, Colorado, Jennifer “Jenny” Weller of Medford, Ryan Stensvold of Owatonna, Joshua “Josh” (Pakou Moua) Weller of Oakdale, Nicole “Nikki” Weller of Owatonna, Brandin Botten of Medford, Benjamin Weller of Owatonna, Chase Gorter of Brookings, South Dakota, Britni Nielson of Lamberton, Bethany Gorter of Hendricks, Isabel Weller of Waterville, and Annmarie Weller of Elysian; 26 great-grandchildren; brothers, Francisco “Nino” López Galán of Jerez, Spain, and Manuel “Loli” López Galán of the Canary Islands, Spain; sisters, Carmen López Briggs of New Ulm and Rosario “Charito” López Welch of Green Cove Springs, Florida; and more than 40 nephews and nieces in the United States and Spain.

Mvfh.org

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