Rosario "Rose" Cantu

A funeral service for Rose will be held at 6:30 PM on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Oakcrest Funeral Services, Algona. Visitation will be held from 3:30 PM until the time of service.
Maria del Rosario Teresa (Fuentes) Cantu was born September 18, 1946, in El Moral Coahuila, Mexico; the youngest of 12 children to Lorenzo and Paula (Cepeda) Fuentes. She spent her early years in Mexico before the family moved to Crystal City, Texas, where she grew up.
On March 27, 1971, Rose was united in marriage to Fernando "Ruben" Cantu in Crystal City. Shortly after their marriage, they followed Ruben's brother, Frank, and made their home in Algona. Together they were blessed with five children. Rose embraced her role as a stay-at-home mother, a calling she cherished deeply.
Rose found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She loved bingo, reality TV shows, The Price Is Right, Wheel of Fortune, soap operas, and WWF. She was known for always being to holidays early. Above all, Rose was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her home was always open, especially to her grandchildren, who knew they could visit at any hour and would be welcomed with her warm presence and delicious food. She babysat not only her own grandchildren but also her children's friends and many others who needed her. A talented cook and skilled with a needle, Rose delighted in making homemade dishes and hand-sewn creations for those she loved.
Rose passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, November 17, 2025, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 79.
She is survived by her children, Rebecca (Lesa) Cantu, Fernando Ruben Jr. (Christine) Cantu, Rachel Cantu, Rosa Maria Stein; grandchildren, Alexander, Jordan, Brady, Shaliko, Ethan, Olivia, Ashley, Evan, Colby, and Sabrina; great-grandchildren, Ayla, Bria, and Felix. She is also survived by siblings, Santiago Fuentes, Santa Martinez, Estella Contreras; siblings-in-law, Fred Cantu, Maria (Jeff) Edwards, Melba Cantu, many nieces and nephews; and her pet dog, Chuey.
Preceding her in death are her parents; husband, Ruben on August 12, 2023; son, Rey on June 20, 2024; grandchildren, Andrew and Angel; two infant siblings; siblings, Ramiro Fuentes, Guadalupe Fuentes, Daniel Fuentes, Lorenzo Fuentes, Francisco Fuentes, Paula Fuentes; brothers-in-law, Fermin and Francisco "Frank" Cantu; sisters-in-law, Belia and Bonnie Cantu.