Irma C. Garza, age 77, of Freeburg, Ill., born November 10, 1943 in McAllen, Texas, passed away Saturday morning, August 14, 2021 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, O'Fallon, Ill.

Irma grew up in the Rio Grande Valley of McAllen, Texas. She moved her family here to the area in 1982, and began a long career in metro-east schools, teaching Spanish and English as a Second Language (ESL). Proud of her Mexican heritage, she would often volunteer to share her culture, particularly by reading Spanish books to children. Irma was proud to have instilled her Christian faith in her children; she had belonged to the former Maplewood Park Baptist Church in Cahokia and was an unofficial member of Zion Lutheran Church. She was a Girl Scout leader for many years, a PTA volunteer, and was former President of the Freeburg Senior Citizens. Irma's activities revolved around that of her children and grandchildren; she was very proud of them all.

She was preceded in death by her parents Arturo and Gloria Fuentes; and her sister Rachel.

Surviving are her five children Letty (Matt) Jolly of Belleville, Sandi (Rick) Dennett of McAllen, Tex., Louis (Sonja) Garza of Waterloo, Amy (Nick) McNew of Waterloo, and Angie (Bobby) Robinson, of Belleville; her grandchildren Julian, Jared, and Jaclyn Jolly, Valerie (Juan) Martinez, Michael Garza, Anthony (Claire) Garza, Alex Garza, Sydnee (Dillon) Thompson, Olivia and Reagan Ogilvie, Shane and Nichole McNew, and Wyatt Robinson; three great-grandchildren Melanie Martinez, and Braxton and Loralie Thompson. Also surviving are her siblings Ron Fuentes, Elsa Olinger, Art Fuentes, Armando Fuentes, Tony Fuentes, Sylvia Winkle, David Fuentes, and Robert Fuentes; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials donations are suggested payable to Zion Lutheran School, Attn: Holly Reeb Memorial Fund, and may be mailed to 1810 McClintock Ave., Belleville, IL 62221 or to the funeral home.

The family will receive friends from 10 – 11 am, Thursday, August 19, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church, 1810 McClintock Ave., Belleville, Ill. A Memorial Service will begin at 11 am., at the church.

A private family burial will be at a later date.