Obituaries

Horst Kuenzler

1937-2019

Horst Kuenzler, 82, born and raised in Mannheim, Germany, entered an early career as a banker. He soon realized that his passion and interests would be focused in other areas.

Passionate about cacti and succulents, he and his wife, Margaret, left Germany on an “extended” honeymoon to Canada, and then on a sixth month journey into the southwestern United States as well as a jaunt into Mexico.

He and Margaret settled in Belen in 1963 after being offered a sponsorship by a local lawyer. They started a business called New Mexico Cactus Research and were soon shipping cactus seeds to more than 80 countries world-wide. A world-renowned cactus researcher and horticulturalist, Horst made a great impact with important discoveries, many friendships and exciting trips into the wild.

He is survived by wife of 58 years, Margaret; daughter, Susan Kuenzler; son-in-law, Mike Krebbs; son, Steven; daughter-in-law, Amy Butel; and granddaughter, Miri Kuenzler.

Husband, father, friend of the community and excited explorer, he is dearly missed.

Dolores Lucero

1936-2019

With her family by her side, Dolores Lucero, born Nov. 13, 1936, went to be with our heavenly Father at the age of 83, on Dec. 15, 2019.

She was a loving wife, beloved mother, sister, auntie and nani.

She is survived by five of her six children, a brother, nieces, nephews and many friends.

Our mother touched so many lives. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

Alex McCoy

1937-2019

Alex McCoy, age 82, a resident of Los Lunas, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019.

He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Peralta. Alex loved his family very much and enjoyed spending time with them. His favorite pastime was camping, fishing, playing his guitar and going to the casino. Alex always had a way to make everyone laugh, and had great stories to tell. He will be greatly missed.

Alex is preceded in death by his loving wife, Julia McCoy; daughter, Patricia Jaramillo; grandson, Michael McCoy; and daughter-in-law, Veronica McCoy.

He is survived by sons, Eppy McCoy and his wife, Anna, and David McCoy; daughters, Aileen Contreras and her husband, Michael, and Bridget Baca; son-in-law, Joseph Jaramillo; and brother, Adolph McCoy and his wife, Jesse. Alex is also survived by all of his grandchildren.

Alex’s family would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at Hospice Compassus for their wonderful care.

Services will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Peralta on Friday, Dec. 27. A visitation will begin at 10 a.m., with a Rosary to be recited at 10:30 a.m., and a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Valencia Cemetery. A reception will follow at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Hall in Peralta.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 864-4448. An online guest register is available at noblin.com.