Emma Martinez

TORRINGTON, WY.... Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated for EMMA VALLS MARTINEZ, 76, at 10:00am on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at St. Rose Catholic Church with The Rev. Father Kevin Koch officiating. Burial will follow in the Valley View Cemetery. A Wake/Rosary service will be held on Tuesday evening at 6:00pm at the church. The casket will be closed. Emma died on October 21, 2006 at the Torrington Community Hospital. Those who wish may direct memorial contributions in Emma's memory to the St. Rose Catholic Church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and friends are invited to send condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com Emma was born on January 5, 1930 in Laredo, Texas the daughter of Arturo and Teresa (Garcia) Valls. In 1944 when Emma was 14 years old, she moved with her parents to Morrill, Nebraska where she met her future husband, Lucio Martinez. In 1946 Emma's mother passed away and her father decided to return to Laredo. In 1948 Lucio traveled to Laredo to marry Emma and the couple chose to return to Nebraska to live. They spent a year at Lyman and then moved to Morrill, Nebraska for 15 years before settling in Torrington, Wyoming in 1964. Lucio and Emma had eleven children; ten of those children graduated from Torrington High School and the youngest from Lingle High School. Emma and Lucio farmed for 20 years before purchasing their own farm near Lingle, Wyoming in 1979. Emma enjoyed playing card games and bingo. She especially liked home decorating, dancing, traveling, crocheting, and sewing blankets, quilts, and slippers. Emma was a great cook and she enjoyed cooking for all kinds of special events. She was a chef at the Little Moon Restaurant for 19 years. Emma was a great care giver, counselor, and advisor, especially for her sisters. She was a member of the St. Rose Catholic Church and member of the Moose and Elk Clubs. She is survived by her eleven children, including six daughters, Norma Drury and her husband Rick of Brighton, CO; Melba Martinez of Austin, TX; Lupe Leece and her husband Phil of Denver, CO; Olga Chojnacki and her husband Dave of Stainburn, England; Diane Dunn and her husband Harvey of Thornton, CO; and Wyoma Martinez of Lakewood, CO; and five sons, Ernie Martinez and his wife Tina of Torrington, WY; George Martinez and his wife Lisa of Chandler, AZ; Art Martinez and his wife Nancy of Henderson, NV; Dan Martinez of Thornton, CO; and Michael Martinez and his wife Corrie of Torrington, WY; 22 grandchildren; five sisters, Juanita Castillo of Gering, NE; Zulema Miranda of Omaha, NE; Adela Gonzales of Laredo, TX; Mickey Rodriguez of Corpus Christi, TX; and Teresa Chamberlain of Omaha, NE; and three brothers, Arturo Valls of Saginaw, NE; Gilbert Valls of Laredo, TX; and Pete Valls of Omaha, NE. Emma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother Edwardo, and her granddaughter, Emma Martinez, II.

Emma Martinez

January 5, 1930 - October 21, 2006