SSG (Ret.) Lourdes B. "Lou" Cruz

Lourdes “Lou” Barbara Cruz was born on December 10, 1953 in Piti, Guam. As a young girl, Lou grew up in Guam and attended school. For a short time during her teenage years, she lived in California before moving back to Guam. At the age of 20, Lou entered the United States Army and served her country faithfully until her retirement in 1993. She had attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and earned several awards and commendations; some of which include: Army Commendation Medal – 2nd Award, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal – 6th Award, National Defense Service Medal – 2nd Award, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon – 2nd Award, Southwest Asia Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, and the Expert Qualification Badge M-16 Rifle. During her time in the military, she was stationed at several different duty stations: Ft. Ord, CA; Ft. Jackson, S.C.; Ft. Sill, OK: Hanou, Germany; Ft. Bragg, NC; Heidelberg, Germany; Desert Storm; and Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. While stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, Lou met the love of her life, Joseph Francisco Cruz, who was also a United States Army soldier. They were united in marriage on January 23, 1976 in Lawton, Oklahoma. They shared over 47 years of marriage together and were blessed three children: Anthony, Louanna, and Therese. After retiring from the military, Lou worked for a time at the Piney Ridge Center in Waynesville before beginning to continue serving her country as a civil service employee in 1996. She served for 20+ years until her retirement. In her spare time, she enjoyed playing Bingo and going fishing, but her main passion was her family and spending time with her grandchildren. She loved them dearly and looked forward to every chance they could spend together. Lou passed away Monday, February 27, 2023, in the Dixon Nursing and Rehab Center in Dixon, Missouri having attained the age of 69 years. She will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all those that knew and loved her. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her husband, Joseph Cruz of Dixon, MO; three children, Anthony D. Cruz (Nanette) of Tipp City, OH, Louanna Rawaekklang (“Noon”) of Land O Lakes, FL, and Therese Hell (Justin) of South Korea; ten grandchildren, Tyler, Gavin, Joey, Sophia, Brae, Aly, Jayvian, Kaili, Jace and Scarlett; four siblings, John Cruz, Vicky Reyes, Anne Salas, and Mary Sills; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. Even though she is gone from our sight, Lou’s love of country and family will live on in our hearts forever. Services were held at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, 2023 in the St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church of St. Robert, MO with Father Michael Murphy officiating. Burial with military honors followed in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery of Waynesville. Military honors were provided by the United States Army of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville/St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of SSG (Ret) Lourdes Cruz and may be left at the funeral home.

SSG (Ret.) Lourdes B. "Lou" Cruz

December 10, 1953 - February 27, 2023