Gustavo Adolfo Lopez Cardenas

Remembering Gustavo

On September 15th, 2025 the world unexpectedly lost a light in Gustavo Adolfo Lopez Cardenas. Born on February 1st, 1987, in Ocotepeque, Honduras, Gustavo was adopted and raised by his paternal grandparents Naun Lopez (father) and Ovidia Cardenas (mother) in Agua Caliente, Honduras.

At the age of 19, Gustavo set out to forge a life of his own making, seeking the promise that the United States represented. Risking his life, he left his childhood home and eventually settled in Minneapolis, MN, where he built a network of family and friends that loved him immensely.

Gustavo had a goofy, playful spirit that was instantly disarming to the people that fell into his orbit. He loved deeply, and he showed his love through numerous acts of service to the people around him, innately recognizing when someone was in need.

Gustavo shared a significant part of his life with his former spouse and work partner Gerry Lewis, where he found his career as an Interior Painter and shared the love of fur babies Halo, Basil, Freya, Gaia, and Athena. His love for them forged a deep caring for all pit bulls. He had a fierce heart for animals and would hawkishly advocate for any animal that he saw suffering.

Gustavo’s passion was art. He saw so much beauty in the world and found inspiration in the people that he loved and translated that love onto canvas.

In February 2022, Gustavo met his love Tyler Bieniek and quickly became a member of his family with his son Charley. Gustavo and Tyler were joined in marriage on April 4th, 2024 in Minneapolis, MN. Gustavo cared for their home in Sartell, MN, keeping the house meticulously clean while watching reruns of his favorite show, The Golden Girls. He was a super-hero stepdad, teaching Charley how to be an artist, recording him endlessly as he danced to his favorite Katy Perry songs, and taking him on adventures. He loved his family intensely, a love his husband and stepson could always feel.

Remaining to cherish Gustavo’s memory are his husband, Tyler Bieniek; stepson, Charley Bieniek; parents-in-law, Victor and Bonnie Bieniek; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Stephanie and Jarrod Deehr, Amanda and Jeremy Santala, Kelsey and Joshua Leindecker; nieces and nephews, Evelyn, Henry and Samuel Deehr, Braxten, Ellie and Jace Santala, Heavyn Brandt, Ashlyn, Ella, Madelyn, Cailee, Lyla, and Nash Leindecker; cherished friend, Gerry Lewis; and many other loving friends and family members.

He is preceded in death by his parents Naun Lopez and Ovidia Cardenas.

His family will have a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, family and friends are encouraged to honor Gustavo by donating to MyPitBullisFamily.org or Minnesota Pit Bull Rescue which was dear to his heart. Family and friends are also encouraged to add to a memorial by sharing their favorite pictures and stories of Gustavo on his Facebook page.

memorial service

Private Family Memorial Service

Please share memories of Gustavo on his Facebook page.