MARIA "CLELIA" INFANTE, 83 of Brule, passed away January 7, 2020, in North Platte, Nebraska.
Clelia was born April 1, 1936, at Aguilares, Texas, to Manuel and Duvelza (Pena) Rodriguez. At a very young age, Clelia and her family moved from Texas to Nebraska as migrant workers in the sugar beet fields.
Eventually, Clelia met and married Joseph Infante Sr., and the couple made their home in Brule. Their union was blessed with three children, Joseph Jr., Rebecca, and Steve. Clelia would eventually go to work for TRW, retiring after roughly twenty-five years.
Clelia's life and love centered around her family. She loved spending the seasons of her life with her loved ones, and she made many wonderful memories out at Lake McConaughy, camping, and having fun with the kids, grandkids, and relatives. She was an avid reader and particularly enjoyed reading westerns. She loved deeply and was loved in return. Clelia was the matriarch of her family, and her presence will indeed be missed.
Clelia was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Steve Infante; siblings, Cidelia Diaz, Elpidio and Guadalupe Rodriguez.
Survivors include her children, Joseph Jr. and special friend, Carol Grafel of North Platte, Rebecca (Rodney) Frickey of Brule; Daughter-in-law Nancy Infante of Oak Harbor, WA, grandchildren, Stacie (Matthew) Renfro of Dallas, TX, Ryan (Tiffany) Washa of Oak Harbor, WA, Angie Mayer of Ogallala, Daniel (April) Frickey of Hershey, Jennifer (Davey) Bass of Columbia, MS; twelve great-grandchildren; siblings, Esther (Richard) Rebman of Boulder, CO, Manuel (Alice) Rodriguez Jr. of Ogallala, Juan Rodriguez of Cozad, along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Memorials are suggested in Clelia's memory to the Brule Volunteer Fire Department. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, January 10, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home chapel in Ogallala with Father Bryan Ernest officiating. Interment of cremains will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.