Maria S. Martinez, 74, of Madison, Wisconsin, formerly of Cedar Rapids, continued on her journey home on Wednesday, November 16, 2016. Maria's devotion to her family and God was unwavering until the end. Maria had a deep love for her faith, for her family and for life. She was a warrior, a hero to many, a friend and a confidant. She will be greatly missed.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:00 A.M. Saturday at Saint Jude's Catholic Church, 50 Edgewood Road N.W. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 P.M. Friday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 2nd Street S.E. and after 8:00 A.M. Saturday at the church. A vigil service will be held at 4:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home with the recitation of the rosary at 6:45 P.M. The family welcomes all
to a luncheon at the church following the Funeral Mass.

Maria was born on February 12, 1942 and lived a long, fruitful life. She is survived by her siblings, Isidro Diaz (Maria), Francisco Diaz (Marta), Maria Auxilio Romero (Martin), Jesus Diaz (Lupe), Amelia Barraza (Modesto, deceased), Maria Dolores Diaz, and Baudelio Diaz (Amada); seven of ten children, Lupe Ahedo (Craig Kettleson), Jose Ahedo, Valentina Ahedo (Kevin Hutchison), Aurora Ahedo (Nathan Jiroutek), Margarita Clayton (Kyron), Monica Roa (Juan) and Marcos Martinez (Monica); stepchildren, Maria Consuelo Martinez, Jesse Martinez and Carmen Martinez (James); grandchildren, Lissy and Angie, Brenda, Maggie, Jose Jr. and Christina, Ana and Ariel, Chayton, Enyeto and Maya, Elijah, Josiah and Kyron Jr., Luna and Thiago, Monte and Isabel, Marian, Madden and Mason, Gilda and Corey; and a great-grandson, Jacob.

She was twice widowed and is preceded in death by three children (Bartolome, Joaquin and Manuel (Sidney), a sister (Abigail Diaz) and her parents, Jesus and Maria Diaz de Leon.

Maria's family especially wishes to thank those who provided care for her in her illness – St. Peter and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Churches and their staff; the staff of St. Mary's/Fresnius Dialysis Center; her care team at CareWisconsin; the care team of Meriter Hospital; the First Responder Team of Station 10; and countless others who wished her love and friendship.

The family gratefully declines donations, but prayers, condolences and memories are gladly accepted at www.papich-kubafs.com under "obituaries".