Otilia (Tillie) Perez
Remembering the life of Otilia (Tillie) Perez, 87, of Fargo, died July 6, 2016 surrounded by her loving family at Sanford Hospital.
Tillie was born on February 13, 1929 to Raymond and Natalie (Rodriguez) Navarro in Mason City, IA. The family moved and she grew up in Fargo. ND. She graduated from Fargo Central High School. On March 31, 1951, she married Pablo (Paul) Perez Sr. The couple made their home in Fargo where they raised their four children.
Tillie worked at the Manchester Biscuit Co. and later as a Nurse's Aide at St. John’s Hospital. She retired from St. John’s after 25 years of service. She was also a lifelong member of St Anthony's Catholic Church.
Tillie's passion for cooking led her to becoming an entrepreneur with her family, by participating in the Downtown Street Fair and Red River Valley Fair, as a vendor, operating Tillie's Tacos & Chili. Her greatest joy was cooking meals for family gatherings and having fresh tortillas available for her children and grandchildren.
Tillie is survived by her husband of 65 years, Paul Sr. and 4 children: Paul Jr. (Paula) Perez, Arthur (Jill) Perez, Alicia (Gary) Myer and Carlos (Kelly) Perez, all of Fargo. She was blessed with 9 grandchildren: Paul Brian (Camille) Perez, Ryan (Heather) Perez, Anna (Michael) Rudnick, Anthony Myer (Samantha Rusness), Carlos Perez II, Ramon Perez, Emily Perez-Johnson, Andrew Myer and Laura Perez; 3 great-grandchildren: Abby and Mason Perez and Kierra Croaker; 4 brothers: Raymond (Georgette) Navarro, Nick (Lucille) Navarro, Tom (Sharon) Navarro, Mario (Pamela) Navarro; 4 sisters, Minnie (Sandy) Garcia, Julie (Lyle) Schumacher, Mary Navarro, Lola (Tom) Gonzales.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Frances Elizondo; and brothers, Jesse Navarro, Daniel Navarro Sr., Joseph Navarro.
There will be a visitation from 5-7:00 PM with a prayer service following at 7:00 PM on Monday, July 11, 2016 at Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo. The funeral mass will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Fargo with a visitation one hour prior.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center, Fargo. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.
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Carlos & Kelly, we are so sorry for your loss. Tillie will forever live on in your hearts.
So sorry to hear about your mom Art. I remember her stand at the Fair many yrs ago. Hope your memories give you comfort at this time.
So sorry for your loss.
Prayers for you and your family. My thoughts sre with you at this difficult time.
She was such a fun lady. She had such a great smile. So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this tough time. Hugs and Love to all of you.
Susan Zahradka
Anna so sorry to hear of the loss of your grandma
I hope you are able to celebrate her life with spending quality time with your family this week.
Prayers from all your family in Colorado. Our hearts hurt that we can’t be there with you. Take care of each other
.Love from,
Nick & Lucille Navarto
Greg & Anita Blair
Nate & Ashley Blair
So sorry for your loss. I never had the pleasure of meeting her but got to know who she was from all of the stories you told. Her spirit lives on. God bless you all.
I loved working with your Mother over the years at St. John’s….she had a sense of humor and could out work us all…all the patients loved her ….I will remember her always and I am very saddened to her of her passing…give our condolences to Paul ….and to her entire family…her family meant everything to her
Tillie was an incredible Woman! Every thing she did was for the Well being of others. She cared for my Mother when it was still a hospital. Plus when I was coordinating the Downtown Street Fair she was there – always Happy and excite for a new day. God bless you all and thank you for sharing this Great Lady. Sue Braun and Gerald Schumacher
I worked with Tillie at St.John’s Hospital. She was a great nurses aide. Her patients was her greatest concern. She will be missed be many of her co-workers. She had a way about her that would always make people smile.
Prayers to a wonderful family at this sad time. Sure remember the delicious food she made and your family sold at the Red River Valley fair for years – hugs to you and may the Lord embrace you all through this tough time of saying goodbye to Tillie .
Sorry for your loss Carlos – I will always remember the great food @ the Red River Valley Fair – what a great family. Thinking of your family during these hard times.
I remember the first time I was trained in to work nights at St. Johns. She was a good worker and trained me in very well. Her family knew my family back in the ’50s and ’60s. I have memories that are near and dear to me of her. She inspired me for the mother she was and her strong loyalty to family and work. I will miss her.
My condolence to your family.
I am very sorry for your loss. Although I did not know your loved one personally, I hope knowing that they are in our loving heavenly Father’s memory will bring your family comfort during this difficult time. Very soon now we can look forward to God’s promise at a Revelation 21:4: “… Death will be no more, neither will mourning, nor outcry, nor pain be anymore, the former thing gave passed away.”
I am so sorry to hear Tillie passed away. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.