Irene Garza Valdez

Irene "Nena" Garza Valdez, also known as La, Gammel, Nuela and Wuela, 78, of Bloomington, passed away on Thursday, August 28, 2025, in Houston. She was born in Port Lavaca, Texas on April 5, 1947, to Daniel Garza and Candida Olivarez Garza Paz. Irene was a 1967graduate of Calhoun High School in Port Lavaca.

Irene was married to for 57 years to the love of her life, David M. Valdez on August 10, 1968 by the Justice of the Peace at the Palladium in Port Lavaca and to this union four children were born. She was a Manager for Dairy Queen in Bloomington before moving to the Dairy Queen on Red River Street in Victoria. She retired after 37 years with Dairy Queen.

In addition to her parents, Daniel Garza and Candida Olivarez Garza Paz, Irene is preceded in death by her infant son, Ralph Valdez, sisters, Marcela Ramirez, Janie Moreno, and Delia Garza Salazar, and brothers, Daniel Garza, Jr., Antonio Garza, Baldemar Garza, Lorenzo Garza, Toribio Garza, and Felix Paz.

Irene is survived by her loving husband, David M. Valdez, daughters, Rachel Valdez and Rebecca Barrios and her husband David, son, David “Roland” Valdez and his wife Mary, sisters, Ofelia Ragusin and her husband Rick, and Mary Paz Gottsponier and her husband Harry. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Marcus Castillo, Joseph Castillo, India Castillo, David “Wedo” Barrios, III, Chris Barrios, and Ryan Valdez, as well as numerous extended family, all of whom will cherish her memory.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 1-2:30 pm, followed by reciting of the Rosary at 2:30 pm and Celebration of Life immediately following at 3 pm, all at Richardson-Colonial Funeral Home.

Words of comfort, condolences and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com