M. Rosario Castillo Magana, age 84, of Twin Valley, MN, died Monday, December 16, 2013, at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home, under Hospice care of the Red River Valley.

Born in Mexico on July 12, 1929, Rosario was the youngest daughter of Rafael and Rufina (Alcaraz) Castillo. Her early childhood years were spent in Mexico and as a young lady she moved to the United States. In 1963, Rosario was united in marriage to Jesus Magana. The couple made their home in California and raised their family. When Jesus later died in 1997, Rosario moved to the Mahnomen/Twin Valley area to be closer to her children, Maria and Ruben. Declining health forced Rosario to make her permanent home at the nursing home since 2010. With her limited English vocabulary, Rosario and the staff soon developed their own language of communication. She truly adored the staff at the nursing home was always throwing kisses to them and making them laugh, as well as other family and residents.
Her days were filled with Spanish movies, prayers and the unending game of dominoes. As a devoted Christian, prayer was a very important part of her daily life and she loved receiving communion. God Bless You, was often her comment to everyone she encountered.

Rosario is survived by her children: Leopoldo (Cecilia) Cruz, Mexico, Ruben Magana, Twin Valley, and Maria (Fiancé Shawn Moore) Magana, Twin Valley; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Rafael (Lucy) Castillo and Alfonso (Ramona) Castillo, both of San Diego, CA; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Carlos Cruz, and 11 siblings.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 20, 2013, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be held St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, Mahnomen