Elsa Minerva Ibarra Valdez, 72, entered into eternal rest Monday, March 7, 2022 after a long illness. She was born and raised in Laredo, Texas, attended Ursuline Academy and graduate from Texas A&I University. Elsa was a school teacher who taught all grade levels for over 30 years and touched the lives of many students. She had a joy for teaching and was a firm but loving teacher. Elsa was a proud Laredoan who loved her city, neighborhood, garden, and most of all her family. She was known for her quick wit, intelligence, huge heart, generous spirit, and lively personality. Elsa was the type of person who would give the shirt off her back to anyone that needed it. She had a tremendous ability to overcome any difficulties with a positive attitude. Elsa was the life of the party and could strike up a conversation with anyone anywhere. Those of us that had the good fortune of knowing her feel blessed to have had her in our lives and will miss her dearly.

Elsa is preceded in death by her parents Roman and Maria Ibarra, sisters Marina Adame and Brenda Cavazos. Left to cherish her memory is her husband Jerry Valdez, children, Jerry (Melissa) Valdez, Edwardo Valdez, Athena (Ricardo) Cortez, and R. Alexander Mastin, grandchildren, Bianca Montemayor, Jerry (Leanne) Valdez, III, Athena R. Valdez, Natalie Valdez, Dominic Cortez, Sebastian Cortez, and Cristian Cortez, great-grandchildren, Devin Martinez and Jerry Valdez, IV; she is also survived by her sisters, Antonietta Hernandez, Linda (Enrique) Arreguin and Graciela (Eduardo) Gonzalez; brothers and sisters in law, cousins, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, March 11, 2022 at St. Peter's The Apostle Church located at 1510 Matamoros St. starting at 10:00 am. A Rosary will be recited at 11:00 am followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:00 pm.

Funeral service arrangements are under the care of Nieto Funeral Home & Crematory, 802 Coke St. Laredo, TX 78040. Condolences can be expressed to the family online at www.nietofuneral.com.