Ian Matteo Garcia Turcios, 6, Watford City, ND

A Funeral Mass for Ian Matteo Garcia Turcios, 6, Watford City, ND, was held at 10 a.m., Monday, April 17, 2023, at the Epiphany Catholic Church, Watford City, ND. Matteo was laid to rest at Schafer Cemetery, Watford City, ND.

Visitation was held on Sunday, April 16, 2023, from 3-6 p.m., at Epiphany Catholic Church, Watford City, ND. Following the interment ceremony there was a luncheon at the Civic Center, Watford City, ND. Fulkerson-Stevenson Funeral Home, Watford City, ND, is assisting the family. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed on http://www.fulkersons.com.

Ian Matteo Garcia passed away Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the age of 6, in a tragic accident.

Matteo was born in Guatemala on Sept. 12, 2016 to his parents, Herla Turcios and Juan de Dios Garcia. He was by nature the happiest child full of joy for life who loved music, dancing and playing with his cousins. Two of his favorite things about Guatemala were visiting his great-grandmother at the farm "El Caracol" and playing with his dog Rintin. In 2021, Matteo and his family moved to the United States in pursuit of a better future. He loved going to school, his favorite subject was math, and playing at recess with his friends. Matteo loved to travel and always packed his own luggage, a very independent and organized boy. Like any typical young brother, Matteo admired his older brother, Juan de Dios, and wanted to be exactly like him and with the arrival of his newborn brother he was extremely excited to be a big brother! Matteo loved to pray and thank God for his blessings like the sun, flowers, his home, bed, toys, family, and his friends. His favorite prayers were 'The Lord's Prayer and Hail Mary'.

Although Matteo was small in stature, he had a huge love for the Lord, his family and all those who came in contact with him.

Tough his life was brief; his memory lives on in his family and friends. Matteo is survived by his parents Herla and Juan de Dios Garcia, his two brothers Juan de Dios and Vincent, and grandparents Juan Jose Turcios, Maria de Jesus Samayoa, Luvia Najera and Guillermo Garcia, aunts, uncles and many cousins.