Xavier Villarreal

Xavier Dandy Villarreal, 56, of Dent, MN, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on September 13, 2020. With all his strength, he kept his good humor and contagious laugh throughout his aggressive battle with cancer.

Xavier was born June 23, 1964, to Noel Onesimo Villarreal Jr. and Ana Irma (Gonzalez) Villarreal in Falfurrias, TX. Xavier was raised in Falfurrias and graduated from Falfurrias High School in 1982. Xavier enlisted into the United States Army in 1985 and travelled to Hanau, West Germany to serve for six years. Xavier married Gloria "Bonnie" Yvonne (Garcia) Villarreal on June 28, 1986 in Falfurrias. He completed his enlistment with the United States Army in 1992. Xavier and Bonnie went on to live in Kentucky working for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and later moved to Bastrop, TX, where they had their daughter, Gabriela Reyna Villarreal. The Villarreals spent most of their time residing in Finlayson, MN, while also working for the Federal BOP in Sandstone, MN.

Service was a big part of Xavier's life. He served as union president at FCI Sandstone, along with having many roles in the local Finlayson–Giese Lions Club, participated as a Minnesota Youth Firearms Instructor and was on the city council before serving as mayor for 10 years. It was not a parade without Xavier riding in it.

After retiring from the Federal BOP in 2015, Xavier enjoyed his first retirement job driving for Arrowhead Transit, where he was able to put a smile on his passengers’ faces each and every day he drove.

He then found what he called his "dream" retirement job in 2017 in Dent, at the beautiful East Silent Lake Resort where he and Bonnie spent their days by the lake, mowing the grounds, maintaining the beach, and enjoying their glasses of wine after long days in the sun.

Xavier is survived by his wife Bonnie Villarreal; daughter Gabriela Villarreal; parents Noel and Ana Irma Villarreal; brothers Noel (Dora) Villarreal, Michael (Lisa) Villarreal, and Glenn (Lisa) Villarreal; sister Celinda (Greg) Rodgers; mother-in-law Gloria G. Garcia; sister-in-law Veronica Garcia; along with many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. His nieces and nephews were known to always call him Uncle Dandy Sir.

Xavier was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Jose Pepe and Celia Balderas Gonzalez; paternal grandparents Noel Onesimo "Onne" and Celia Garcia Villarreal; and his father-in-law, Leopoldo C. Garcia.

Throughout Xavier’s journey battling cancer, he continued to say how he wanted to do more.  Our family encourages you to find your inner grace, step out of your comfort zone and volunteer at a hospital or cancer center.  This is what Xavier’s goal was, although the Lord had a different plan, he would want all of his family, friends and loved ones to serve others and make a difference, accompanied with a smile, laughter and joy, something Xavier practiced each day.

With the present pandemic, our family wants to remind all who may attend, that masks and social distancing are required while present at any formal services. Thank you for the thoughts, prayers and love that have been sent our way.

Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 p.m. with parish prayers at 7:00 on Friday, September 18 at Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service. Visitation will resume beginning at 9:30 a.m. followed by the funeral Mass at 10:30 on Saturday, September 19 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dent. Burial and military honors will follow in Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery near Dent.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com

Xavier's Memorial Folder