Odilia G Cardenas

On Friday, July 12, Odilia (Odie) G. Cardenas, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away at the age of 90.  The youngest of 4 siblings, Mrs. Cardenas was born on December 10th, 1933, in Bishop, TX to Jesus M. Garcia and Felicita G. Garcia.  In December of 1957 she married Leonel E. Cardenas of Del Rio, TX. The happy couple lived in San Antonio, TX where they raised three children: Yvonne, Larry and Randy. 

Odilia grew up in Alice, Texas where she would often be found walking to school and work.  She often told her children how ‘walking’ would help her to unwind and enjoy nature.  Odilia found work after school at a local soda fountain restaurant where she fondly remembers serving hot dogs and making malts and shakes for the local community.  Later, she found employment at a Savings and Loan where she quickly learned to type and became a valuable employee.  Odilia was also a homemaker.  She is remembered as being a wonderful cook, who always found time to ‘make something’ for the kids in the neighborhood. 

Odilia also enjoyed gardening.  She loved to grow and tend to her many house plants.  Her children were constantly amazed at how she could magically grow a new plant from cuttings, she was known as a ‘plant whisperer’!

The family eventually moved to Denver, CO in 1973.  It was later on in 1980 when she became the president of Sierra Printing Company, a family-owned print shop in Denver, CO where she worked alongside her son, Larry.   The two of them ran the print shop for five years. It was during that time that the print shop helped to print LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) national magazine.  Odilia was instrumental in helping to secure ads for the magazine, as well as running the day to day book keeping. 

Odilia always had a kind word for those around her.  She will be remembered as a loving wife and mother who helped to keep her family together throughout her life time.

Odilia is survived by her three children: Yvonne, Larry (Lisa) and Randy of Denver, CO. Odilia is also survived by her grandchildren, Breana, Leah (Beau) Cardenas-Fisher, Kira and Connor Bradford. 

Odilia is also survived by her half-brother, Rene E Garcia (Gloria).

Odilia was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Cardenas, Father, Jesus M. Garcia; her mother, Felicita G. Garcia, and her siblings: Alicia Garcia, Jesus Cosme (Chucho) and Francisco Baldemar (Mare).

A memorial service will be held at Aspen Mortuary Chapel, 1350 Simms St, Lakewood, CO 80401, on August 6th, at 11:30am.