Gloria Balderas Fuentes, age 90, of Freeburg, born October 6, 1924 in McAllen, Texas, went home to be with our Lord on Monday, October 20, 2014.

Having been born and raised in Texas, Gloria met her husband there and moved with him to the St. Louis area where she raised her family for the remainder of her long life. Gloria and Art were avid travelers in their retirement years. For many years, they lived in Merida, Yucatan, close to his family for six months out of the year. They often drove through Mexico giving clothes and shoes to the poor families they met along the way.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of over 50 years Arturo A. Fuentes, her youngest daughter Rachel Fuentes, and two grandsons David Olinger and Don Blair.

Surviving are her nine children Irma Garza, Ron Fuentes, Elsa Olinger, Art Fuentes, Armando Fuentes, Tony Fuentes, Sylvia Winkle, David Fuentes, and Robert Fuentes. Also surviving are her 27 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

The family kindly requests that memorials and gifts be made in the form of monetary donations, to offset current expenses.

Memorial Services to celebrate the life of Gloria B. Fuentes are being held privately by the family.