Manuela Llanas

Our beloved Manuela (“Nanny” “Nela” “Mama Llanas” “Nely”) Llanas passed peacefully on Wednesday March 19th in her 74th year. Manuela is the oldest of 12 siblings and daughter of the late Francisco and Silbresta Moreno. Loving Mother of Teresa Watson (Dick) and James Llanas (Justin). Cherished grandmother of Robert (Cassie), Amanda (Dan), Marcos, and Marina. Great grandmother of Logan, Olivia, and Morgan. Survived by siblings Antonia Bishop (Michael), Juan Moreno (Priscila), Lupe Moreno (Idalia); Angela Blanco, Maria Gutierrez, Lola Moreno, Rachel Conlin (Jeff). Remembered by her many nieces, nephews and cousins. Meeting in heaven siblings Albino (Hortense), Gloria, Chinta, and Elena (Jesse).

Manuela lived a life that was full of love for her family. She had a heart of gold, was famous in her family for her cooking and her unconditional love.

Manuela was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico on May 31st, 1945. She was the oldest child of 12 to Fransisco and Silbestra Moreno. She was a devoted daughter and always put family first whether it was helping raise her siblings or assisting her parents in any way needed.

She moved to Juarez, Mexico with her parents and siblings as she worked in El Paso, Texas. She knew she wanted her children to have a better life, so she made every effort for that dream to become a reality. She had her first child Teresa, in El Paso, Texas in 1963. She immigrated to the United States and moved to Denver in 1966 where she lived for a few years. She had her second child, James, in 1967. Manuela and a friend taught themselves English at night by quizzing each other. She also taught herself to drive and she was able to pass the test in English which she used to become a naturalized citizen.  She lived in Denver until she settled in Saint Paul, Minnesota for the remainder of her life.  She raised her two children as a single mother and strived to instill a dedicated work ethic. She was part of an amazing support system that included her parents, siblings, and extended family. They all looked after each other and kept in close contact to ensure the family stayed close. She retired in 2010 from Fisher Nut and spent her retirement years enjoying her family.

The joy of her life was being a grandmother and a great-grandmother. The moment she was around her grandkids her voice and eyes would light up. Her grandkids would never want for anything while she was around. She would watch and play with her grandkids. She has helped shape not only her two children, but each of her grandchildren. She was more than a grandma to them as she never missed a birthday, holiday or life event.

She was an amazing cook who always made sure no one left her house hungry. Within two minutes of getting to her house she would be offering you something to eat. She was famous in her family for her rice, beans, chile, mole sauce, gorditas, tamales, tacos, capirotada, breakfast burritos, posole, pineapple upside down cake, chile rellenos, and buñelos. Manuela had traditions that she kept with her family. On birthdays she would make a special meal of whatever the birthday person wanted. She had a weekly Saturday Morning Breakfast where she could be found sharing a meal and some chile (from her purse) with her two children.  Every Easter she would make Jell-O eggs to be shared and leading up to Easter she would make Good Friday food for the family to come together. Family was at the center of her heart and everything that she did.

Manuela was a mother, a daughter, a sister, a grandma, a “Nanny”, a great-grandma, a godmother, an aunt, a cousin, and a friend to many. She was the matriarch of the Moreno family and left an impression on everyone she touched.

Funeral services pending for a later date.