Florentina Perez

Florentina Perez was born April 4, 1936 to Andrea (Montelongo) and Sebastian Rivera. Flori grew up on the south side of Des Moines, with her 12 siblings. She loved her brothers and sisters so much, and fondly remembered their time together, laughing, dancing, and having fun. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1954. She retired from Qwest Communications after 28 years and supported her husband Chico in the family restaurants through the years. She was famous for her delicious enchiladas that she sold through the years as well. Many friends and coworkers from the phone company, church, and our friends ordered them even up until recently. She also loved to gift them frequently.
Flori married the love of her life, Richard (Chico) Perez on October 26, and they enjoyed 53 years of marriage before his death in 2009. After she retired, Flori loved taking care of her husband and family. She especially loved supporting her grandchildren in their sports, dance, musicals, and other activities. She had a heart of gold, and a strong Catholic faith. She was very devoted to the Virgin Mary and was a lifetime member of St. Anthony Church in Des Moines, where she was a member of the Altar & Rosary society, CRHP, and devoted time doing things for the parish. Anyone that met her knew most of all how much she loved Jesus, and she was an extraordinary example of His love, especially to her children.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Rito Perez, Richard (Trishia) Perez, Michael Perez, Mary (Jerry Van Dam), Rose (Nick) Adams, Suzanne (Dan) Hejkal, and Chris Perez. She is also survived by her 18 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. Sisters Rose Bonanno, Evelyn (Phillip) Munoz, Connie (Gilbert) Sanchez. Brothers Henry (Rosenda) Rivera, John (Hannah) Rivera, Andrew Rivera, and sister-in-law Judy Connor, sister-in-law Rita Perez and brother-in-law Rito (Pep) Perez, and many cherished nieces and nephews and Godchildren.
She was proceeded in her death on March 3, 2021 by her beloved husband Richard, parents Andrea and Sebastian, in-laws Rito and Mary (Ortale) Perez, sisters Elena Rivera, Lucille Garcia, Juanita Garcia, Maria (Charlotte) Gomez. Brothers Edward Rivera and Edmundo Rivera, grandson Christian Perez, brother-in-law Albert Perez and sister-in-law Rose Inman and beloved other extended family.
A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, March 8, 10:30 AM at St. Anthony Church, 15 Indianola Rd, Des Moines, IA. The family will hold a visitation from 9:30-10:30 at the church before mass. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial on Fleur Drive immediately following mass. The mass will be live streamed on the St. Anthony Church Facebook page.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

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