Kathleen Martinez

Mount Horeb, Wisconsin - Kathleen (Morris) Martinez, age 84, passed away on Friday, November 11, 2022, at her residence. She was born on March 24, 1938 in Martinez, California to parents Wm. Raymond and Frances P. (Mitchell) Morris. Kathleen grew up in Northern California, moving often, as she and her family did migrant farm work. She married Roy McDaniel in 1957. They had two children, Denis and Judith (Judy) and later divorced. She married Salvador (Marty) Martinez in 1974, with whom she had her youngest child, Joshua (Josh). Kathleen worked various office jobs until she became a stay-at-home mom to Josh. She and Marty later went separate ways. In 1993, when her first husband, Roy, became ill, she selflessly uprooted her life in California to relocate to Wisconsin to help care for him. Kathleen loved to read and treasured her book collection. She enjoyed gardening and was a talented seamstress before arthritis and chronic pain robbed her of many of her hobbies. She was spunky and outspoken and you never had to wonder what she was thinking. Ultimately, Kathleen suffered many health conditions and worsening chronic pain. In recent years, dementia began to rob her of even more. Her life was a hard one with many physical and emotional challenges, including the loss of two sisters in tragic accidents. But she was tough and her faith in God was strong. She was not afraid to pass on. She believed she would spend eternity with Jesus and looked forward to reuniting with loved ones. Kathleen truly loved and faithfully prayed for her family. It is our sincere hope that she knew how very loved she was.

Kathleen is survived by her children Denis E. McDaniel (Chit Kuk), Judith K. Olson (Knute), and Joshua G. Martinez (Brandy Sewart); grandchildren Giovanna Sanderson, Garrett Martinez (Shelby), Drake Martinez (Tara), and Kirk Olson; step-grandchildren Angie Olson (Kevin Otte), and Emily Gear (Scott); two great-grandchildren Nathaniel and Gavin Martinez; four step-great-grandchildren Veda and Isla Gear and Iris and Tristan Otte; three siblings Frances Rae Hurlbut (Bill), Marsha Terry, and David Morris; and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces/nephews.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Virginia Dunkle and Verla Scroggins, many aunts and uncles, and her beloved cat, Gato.

Special thanks to Kathleen’s My Choice Wisconsin team members, Kara and Sarah. They were strong advocates for her and her family and treated her with compassion and respect. We are indebted to Dr. Nancy Fuller and Dr. Mara Terras, her Primary Care Physicians, who provided her exceptional, compassionate care through many years. Also, thanks to her special church families at Springs of Hope Fellowship in Monona and at New Hope Church in Mt. Horeb. She treasured the fellowship she enjoyed with all of you.

No local services are being planned at this time. Kathleen’s family will hold a private memorial in California at a later date.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services Verona Chapel 220 Enterprise Drive 608-845-6625