Anita Marie Espinel

Anita Marie (Dumas) Espinel, loving mother of 9 children, passed away Friday, January 3, 2020 at May Creek Assisted Living in Walker, MN at the age of 99.

Anita was born May 27, 1920 in Minneapolis, MN to Edward and Beatrice (Dauwen) Dumas.  She grew up in Long Lake, MN on the property known as the Dumas Apple Orchard where her parents ran their family business.  After graduating high school in Long Lake, she enrolled into St. Mary’s College in Minneapolis and majored in nursing.  Upon receiving her RN nursing degree, she enlisted into the military in 1944.  She served in the Air Force and Army Nurse Corp as a lieutenant and captain.  While serving in the Army, she met the love of her life, Albert Espinel.  She married Albert on June 16, 1951 at Post Chapel, Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Denver, Colorado.  Anita received an honorable discharge from the military in January, 1952 and would begin a new life and family with her husband, Albert in Long Lake, Minnesota.

Three children were born to Anita and Albert in Minnesota but Albert’s job would soon take them to Dallas, Texas.  Six additional children were born in Texas, where the family spent many wonderful years before moving to Kansas City, Missouri.  After just two years in Kansas City, Albert’s job took them back to Minnesota.  Minnetonka, MN is where they purchased their final home and lived for 50 years.

After taking time off to raise her children, Anita decided it was time to return to her nursing career.  She accepted a position at Chapel View Nursing Home in Hopkins, MN, where she worked for many years.  She loved being a nurse and was dedicated to helping others.

Family was important to Anita.  She and Albert spent as much time as they could with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  They traveled all over the twin cities, to northern Minnesota and to California to spend special times with their family.

During her entire life, Anita was a devout Catholic and her faith in God guided her daily.  She was very involved in her church and spent countless meaningful moments with the priests and nuns she knew over the many years of her life.  Anita never missed mass, and attended daily mass for the last 25 years.  She also had a special group of friends who nicknamed themselves “The Huggers” who would get together weekly at church and help out with anything that anyone needed.

Anita is survived by her son, Mike (Ruth) Espinel, Walker, MN; daughters, Barbara (Mark) Christianson, Walker, MN, Linda (John) Hoffer, Eden Prairie, MN, Mary Simpson, Shakopee, MN, Julia (Janos) Bakos, Palos Verdes, CA, Patricia Espinel, Walker, MN; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Espinel; parents, Edward and Beatrice Dumas; sons, Albert, Richard and Stephen; son-in-law, Geoff Simpson; brothers, Robert and John; and sisters, Janet and Lorraine.

The family would like to express a special thank you to May Creek Assisted Living and St. Joseph Hospice for the exceptional care that Anita received.  They feel blessed that she was able to spend her last days with such a group of caring, loving and truly wonderful people. 

A visitation for family and friends will be from 10:00 until an 11:00 mass at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Walker on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.  Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights, MN.  Arrangements are being provided by Dennis Funeral Home (www.dennisfuneralhome.com).

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