Josefina "Pina" Del Carmen Vela Cruz, 75, Minot, formerly of Houston, TX and Nicaragua, died Wednesday, February 15, 2012 in a Minot Nursing Home.

Josefina was born May 14, 1936 in Siuna, Zelaya, Nicaragua, the daughter of Jose Dolores Vela and Rosa Maria Cruz Pallan. She was raised and educated in Siuna, Zelaya where she graduated with a degree in nursing. She made her career as a nurse for many years prior to moving to the United States.

Josefina moved to Houston, TX in 1984 where she worked as a housekeeper at the Embassy Suites and Holiday Inn. While living in Houston, Josefina also operated a daycare in her home until moving to Minot with her daughter's family in 1996. In Minot, she was employed at Trinity Nursing Home on the fourth floor as a housekeeper for ten years. She cared for her granddaughters after school and during the summer months in their younger years. Josefina retired in 2009. She was diagnosed with cancer in November of 2011 and moved into Trinity Homes on January 11, 2012.

Josefina's hobbies included reading, Palo de Mayo dancing and knitting. She was an avid Houston Rockets basketball fan, rarely missing a game. Josefina enjoyed keeping family and friends up-to-date with happenings from around the world and paid special attention to world news programs. Her family was very important to her and she enjoyed attending her granddaughter's activities and events. She was a very loving abuela.

Her loving family includes her daughter, Rosa Emilia (Bruce) Berg, Minot; grandchildren, Katherine Jo and Kayla Alexis Berg, both of Minot; sisters, Bertha Cruz, CA, Gladys Vela Cruz, Venezuela; brothers, Jose Dolores Vela (Lolo), FL, Michel Jose Vela Cruz, Nicaragua; special sister-in-law, Connie Vela, FL; and several nieces, nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-laws.

Josefina was preceded in death by her parents and infant son, Randal Watson.

Funeral service: Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.

Interment: Interment will take place at a later date in Nicaragua.

Visitation: Friday, February 17, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to Christ Lutheran Church rebuilding fund or the American Cancer Society.