Jose Cantu, age 52, of Milroy, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, under the care of Hospice and surrounded by his family at his home in Milroy. Memorial Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 30, 2022, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 30, 2022, also at the funeral home. Arrangements are with the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall.
Jose Cantu was born on July 3, 1970, in Del Rio, Texas. He was the son of Jesus and Guadalupe (Garza) Cantu. He grew up in Texas until age 12 when his family moved to LaBelle, Florida. He moved around in his youth doing migrant work and eventually earned his GED in Florida. In 1994 Jose relocated to Minnesota and was proud to be sent on to further his education in Willmar where he learned welding and other trade work. On February 20, 2009, Jose was united in marriage to Tonja (Hansen) Stier in Worthington, Minnesota. The couple made their home in Worthington, Sacred Heart, and Jacksonville (Florida) before returning to Minnesota to settle in Milroy. Jose worked as a welder and in construction – eventually starting his own business in 2010 called TJ Fresh Finishes. Jose was a giving person and volunteered often with a variety of church groups. He was very charismatic and enjoyed being around family and friends. His enjoyments in life included fishing, frog gigging, grilling, throwing bags, trips to the casino, and catching every Dallas Cowboys football game. Above all he cherished the time he was able to spend with his grandchildren, children, and his many nieces and nephews.
Jose Cantu died surrounded by his family at his home in Milroy, Minnesota, on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. He had reached the age of 52 years, 5 months, and 17 days. Blessed be his memory.
He is survived by his wife Tonja Cantu of Milroy; mother, Guadalupe Cantu of LaBelle, FL; 8 children, Jaime Jr. (and Cassandra) Zamarron of Bird Island, Daniel Zamarron (and Karina Longoria) of North St. Paul, Bernice (and Jeremiah) Martinez of Cape Coral, FL, Sergio (and Karen) Zamarron of Edinburg, TX, Iliana Cantu (and Eric Catchings) of Maplewood, Olivia Cantu (and Garrett Grossaint) of Shoreview, Hunter (and Carson) Stier of Charleston, SC, Gunner Stier of Mankato; 22 grandchildren: Ezra, Titus, Asher, Sariah, Jessiah, Uriah, Briana, Mario Jr., Jadiana, Noeley, Sofia, Macie, Daniel Jr., Paulette, Fernando, Benjamin, Brielle, Audriana, Jaime III, Cruz, Andres, Aaliyah; and 7 siblings: Lucia (Jesus) Hernandez of LeBelle, FL, Estela (Jay) Cullen of Bonita, FL, Joshue (Vanesa) Cantu of Immokalee, FL, Joel (January) Cantu of Ft. Worth, TX, Cindy (Joey) Garcia of LaBelle, FL, Gabriel (Mavis) Rodriguez of LaBelle, FL, Sergio (Hannah) Rodriguez of Danube; also by his parents-in-law, Steven (Vicki) Hansen of Slayton; brother-in-law, Tom (Dori) Hansen of Jeffers, and sister-in-law, Angie (Heath) Landsman of Slayton. Jose was preceded in death by his father, Jesus Cantu; daughter, Jessianna Cantu; brother, Jesus Cantu Jr., and brother-in-law, Nicholas Hansen.
