Dionicio Cardenas, 95, of St. Paul, Minnesota, died May 2, 2020.
Dionicio, a loving man also known as Nicho, Nick, Dad, and Grandpa, was born April 8, 1925, in Devine, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Victoria Cardenas, brother Odon Cardenas and sister Sophia Cardenas Sauceda of San Antonio and his children Michael Cardenas of Minneapolis, Ronald (Kathy) Cardenas of San Diego CA, Donald (Dawn) Cardenas of Hackensack, Nick (Juleen) Cardenas of West Lakeland, Cynthia (Scott) Ehrman of Luck WI, Alice Cardenas of St. Paul, Mark (Lisa) Cardenas of Echo, and stepson Victor Rangel of St. Paul. Nicho will be missed by everyone who knew him, including 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, nephews and good friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Donaciano and Cecilia, siblings Erasmo, Lupe, Ernesto, and Damiana, daughter-in-law Molly, and many good friends who are surely greeting him in Heaven with a mariachi band! Nicho was a self-taught guitar player who could sing like an angel. He loved to garden, fish, tinker with anything mechanical, and go for long walks. He amazed us all by retiring from Whirlpool after a full career, then continuing to work a variety of jobs to stay busy until age 90.
Nicho has been a hard-working, fun-loving father, grandfather, husband and friend. He was a proud veteran of World War II, serving in the Philippines and Japan, bravely but humbly earning medals while defending his country. It was a rare day to see him not wearing an Army hat!
His family is thankful to have had so many wonderful years with him. Thanks to the staff at Lyngblomsten Care Center and HealthEast Hospice for bringing comfort to Nicho during the last chapter of his life, especially when he succumbed to pneumonia in the end.
Arrangements have been made for burial at Fort Snelling after a private Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in St. Paul, with assistance from Sandberg Funeral & Cremation Services of North St. Paul, MN (651-777-2600). The family will have a private Celebration of Life on May 12, 2020.