Lois Rae Martinez, 88, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and cherished friend to all who knew her, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2026, at her family home in Salida, Colorado.

Lois was born on April 8, 1938, at the Denver & Rio Grande Hospital in Salida, Colorado, the youngest of three children born to Walter and Lois Madison. She spent her early childhood on the family ranch in Villa Grove, Colorado, where she rode her treasured paint horse, Mickey. In 1947, the family moved to Salida, where Lois attended McCray Elementary, Kesner Junior High, and Salida High School. During her high school years, Lois was a member of the famous John Held’s Spartan Sparklers, where she sang near the top of the “Singing Christmas Tree”. She was also a member of the Glee Club and Marching Band, where she played the drums. She graduated from Salida High School in 1955 and later attended business school in Omaha, Nebraska. She then returned to Salida to work at First National Bank and later Doveton’s Store.

Lois met the love of her life, Johnny Martinez, at a Salida Spartan football game. They were married on July 12, 1958, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Following their wedding ceremony, they celebrated with breakfast at Neil’s Café on F Street, and later that day gathered with family and friends for dinner and dancing at Costello’s Lounge & Restaurant. Thus began a marriage and a life together that would span more than six decades, built on love, faith, and family.

Lois and Johnny worked hand in hand as the owners and operators of the Martinez Trash Company from 1958 to 1996. Together they established a thriving business through their shared work ethic and dedication.

Lois devoted countless hours to St. Joseph Catholic Parish, where she gave generously of her time and talents. She taught music classes at St. Joseph School and was involved in the Home and School Association where she helped chair the annual school carnival and served as room mother for all four of her children. She was one of the chairs of the Helping Hands Committee and, together with Johnny, served as a Marriage Preparation Couple, helping prepare engaged couples for the Sacrament of Marriage.

A lifelong Spartan, Lois was an active member of the Spartan Booster Club. She attended every sporting event, first cheering on her children and later proudly supporting her grandchildren as they became the next generation of Spartan athletes.

For more than 40 years, Lois served as an Election Judge for primary, general, county, state, and City of Salida special elections. She was a past member of the Rainbow Girls, the Daughters of the Nile, and the Order of the Eastern Star, where she held offices at every Star Point, served as Worthy Matron, and was a Grand Representative.

Lois was also a Shriner Lady, supporting Johnny and the Mon-Ark Shrine Club through countless functions, meals, parades, and gatherings. Those who knew her will remember not only her dedication to these activities, but also the wonderful food she prepared — especially her delicious enchiladas and sopapillas.

Above all else, Lois was a devoted mother, grandmother and “GiGi”. She raised four children with love, patience, and strength. Lois’s greatest joy was her family. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren fiercely and was always happy when they came to visit. Their presence brought her tremendous joy, especiallyduring her final days. Her love was steadfast, loyal, and devoted beyond words. She was the kind of mother and grandmother who made the people she loved feel that she would always have their backs.

The family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to Jennifer, Amanda, Helen, Jenna, Racinda, and Kim for their care and compassion for our mother during the last year of her life.

Lois is survived by her children, Valarie Martinez, Curtiss Martinez, Scott (Cindy) Martinez, and Adrienne (Jim) Weber; grandchildren, Jaclyn Lopez, Lauren Martinez, Avery (Ceara Hunsaker), Madison (Justin) Martinez, McKenzie (Dylan Murphy) Everett, and Modesta (Nathan) Everett-Van Deel; step-grandchildren, Tessa (Diego) Weber-Delgado and Kealy (Vance) Hawk and their children; and great-grandchildren, Allen Ortega, Alex Lopez, Lilly Ortega, Ruby Barton, Tyler Martinez, and Leah Martinez.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Lois Madison, and her brothers, Walter (Shirley) Madison and Wayne (Jesse) Madison.

Lois’s life was one of faith, family, service, and love. She spent her life caring for others — her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her church, her school, and her community. She leaves behind a family who will carry forward the values she lived every day: love deeply, serve faithfully, work hard, feed people well, and always be there for the people you love.

She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished.

Services Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 26, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salida, with a Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and Mass at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, with a luncheon at Poncha Town Hall at 1:15 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, with the following designation in the memo line: St. Joseph School Renovation Campaign — Restricted for Local School Renovations Contributions may be made in honor of Lois Martinez, whose many years of service and support to St. Joseph Catholic Church and School were an important part of her life.

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