Joseph Erminio Anaya was born in Tucumcari, NM on September 21st, 1927, to parents Erminio and Isidora Anaya. In 1939, Joe’s family moved from New Mexico to the Midwest looking for work. His family eventually settled in St. Paul, Minnesota. Joe joined the US Army in September 1944 and served until June 1945, when he was Honorably discharged for service-connected disability. In 1956, Joe started working for Brown & Bigelow. He worked there for 17 years in the International Division. He worked as a supervisor in the domestic export section and later became the manager of the export traffic department and handled all credits/collections for the foreign division. His last position was as the Marketing Manager for the international division. He then moved on to work for the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA), where he assisted minorities who owned small businesses or who wanted to start a business. He helped minorities find funding and provided accounting and technical assistance. After MEDA, he worked for Martinez Mapping & Engineering as Vice President of Finance. Joe was responsible for all the company’s finances and ran the day-today projects and activities. After many years at Martinez, Joe retired. Joe was restless in retirement and after a year and a half, he went to work for the Minnesota Dept. of Motor Vehicles. He worked there for the next 15 years until finally retiring. Joe’s interest in helping the Mexican American community started with the Guadalupe Credit Union. There he held the position of Supervisory Chairman and then President and his last position there was Treasurer/Manager. The credit union was started to help Latinos and migrants obtain financing because they were unable to get loans from traditional banks. Joe also volunteered as Treasurer of the Concord Street Business Association (CSBA). Joe was also one of the founding members of the American GI Forum, a social organization started for Mexican American GIs. Its function was to provide services and assistance for the local Mexican American community. Meetings were held in the old Neighborhood House on the West Side of St. Paul. Events were held to raise funds for many projects on the West Side. He continued to be active in veteran organizations including a longstanding member of AMVETS Post 5 in Saint Paul, MN. Joe was very involved and active in campaigning for John F. Kennedy’s run for president. Due to his extensive involvement, he received an invitation to John F. Kennedy’s inauguration. Joe felt that a good education was very important. He had a fulfilling professional life and was an active volunteer utilizing his business skills. Throughout his years, his passions and hobbies were photography, big band and Mexican/Latin music. He loved watching baseball, football and soccer, and playing Golf. He also enjoyed travelling and spending time with his family. He is survived by his loving wife Ludmila Anaya, his children Sally (Bill) AnayaBoyer, Elaine (Bob) Rishovd, Tatiana (John) Anaya, Joseph (Michelle) Anaya Jr, Dmitri (Brooke) Anaya, Karina Schneck and Lara (Travis) Hardy, Grandchildren Jeffrey (Ann) Anaya, Tina (Mike) Reed, Nico Anaya, Savelli Schneck, Sihaya Schneck, Merek Hardy, Maxim Anaya, Mila Hardy, Brielle Anaya, Great Grandchildren Nicole Anaya, Sarah Anaya, Alexander Anaya, Katherine Reed, Madeline Reed and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Erminio and Isidora Anaya, and siblings Luisa Anaya, Domitila Anaya, Ermelinda Gonzalez, Miguel Anaya and Marcelina Vasquez. Also, preceded in death by his special Tia Rosa Otero and Son in law Chris Schneck. Visitation 10-11am with Funeral Service to follow at 11am on Saturday October 30th at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial in Saint Paul. The service can be live streamed at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/6240544844