Joseph Castaneda Obituary

Ruth Ann & Family,

Our deepest sympathy on the loss of Joe. He was a very nice person. You are in our thoughts & prayers at this sad and difficult time.

Erwin & Carol Budnieski

To my freinds the Castaneda Family. What a wonderful man Mr. Joe was. The last few days I have been thinking about our days on Yates/Oglesby. How lucky we all were to be a part of such a unique time and to share it with such great people.

What amazed me about Mr. Joe is that he always wanted everyone together. I can remember piling into his car and he took all of us kids to the DQ! He genuinely liked being around all of us. He didn't care about how many kids were swimming in his pool...just as long as we were having FUN!

Even today, I can still hear his voice, kind of giggling when he did it, but with great excitement when he would raise my arm up (after I picked up the most trash of course): "The winner is: Kimmy Riddering!" The truth was that he really did think that I was a winner and he always made me feel like a winner and he showed that not just to me, but to all of us kids!

Thank you Mr. Joe, Ms. Ruth, and the entire Castaneda family. Thank you for being a part of the best childhood ever, one that shaped me into who I am today, and thank you for always opening your home to all of us.

Mr. Joe you were quite the quality man and you will be missed!

Wow - what a tribute by Rick, and I have to second everything. Even though we moved when I was between 3rd and 4th grades, I'll always look back fondly on the Yates days, and the taco parties with the trip to Aruba as the reward for cleaning up the Castaneda yard is right at the top (along with "Flash Gordon, of course"). My sincere condolences to the Castaneda family. I'm only sorry that I can't be there to celebrate Mr. Joe's life - I was in town this week but retruned to Minnesota last night. I will definitely say a prayer for you all today.

To my dear, dear friends the Castaneda Family. When we were kids, I spent many days and nights at your home. And, as a result, I have so many wonderful memories of Mr. Joe! I'm certain that he's already hosting one of his famous Taco Parties in heaven. Or, he's drawing tattoos on the wings of angels so that they, like me and so many others, can be in Mr. Joe's Club! Could it be that he's loading up the angelic station wagon for a trip to the heavenly drive-in theater? And I wonder who's winning a trip to . . . ARUBA!!! What ever he's doing right now, I'm convinced that Mr. Joe is having a wonderful time and those who are with him are, too -- because, that's what he did! He was a kind soul who loved to have fun and bring others along for the ride!

Needless to say, I write this with a heavy, but joyful heart. Joyful, because the older I get, the more I realize just how blessed I am, and actually all of us who grew up on Yates and Oglesby are, because we were really (and still are) all part of one BIG family who loved each other dearly. But heavy-hearted, too, because we all lost a part of our family when Mr. Joe left us this past weekend!

But, I try to focus on the joy as best as I can, because it will be a great day when we have another reunion -- the Yates and Oglesby Family Reunion -- when we all meet up again with Mr. Joe! Just think about the new club members he'll be able to introduce to! That will be a glorious day for sure!

But for now, blessings and peace to you Ms. Ruth and all the Castanedas; may the Lord bless you and keep you; may He make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn His face toward you and give you His peace!

And, Mr. Joe, please be sure to keep dodging that lady who's looking for me because I picked her flowers! Thanks, buddy! Rest in peace, dear friend!

Uncle chepo is now in heaven with family ,This is not the time for us to grieve his death but its our time to celebrate hislife. Don't ever forgt Uncle Chepo. He wanted to make everyone happy and attended every wedding, or party that we ask him to be part of. So at the moment let's all think back and remember how he touched our lives.

Beloved Uncle Chepo, I'm gonna miss you dearly. You were the best uncle a girl could ask for. I will miss having Sunday brunch with you and hearing your booming laughter. You lived by example and loved everyone which is all God ask of us. Rest in peace and I'll never forget you.

I was very sorry to hear of Joes passing. Sue, you and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. I have many fond memories of spending time with your Dad. He was a wonderful man and a terrific father.