Catarina Martinez, 69

Northfield/Blue Earth – Catarina Martinez, age 69, of Northfield and formerly Blue Earth passed away Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, at the Northfield Hospital. A memorial service was held Wednesday Feb. 23, at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Blue Earth, Fr. Andrew Beerman officiated.

Catarina was born March 14, 1952, to Guillermo and Ysabel (Cervantes) Olivo in San Marcos, Texas. She was one of ten children. When she was young, the family moved to Minnesota, she went to Catholic school until the fifth grade and then transitioned to public in Elmore where she would meet the man of her dreams, Nieves Martinez. They would often cruise around Elmore in his ’54 Ford while listening to CCR and getting to know each other. When the time came, Nieves was so shy and nervous that he asked his dad to come with him to Catarina’s house to ask her mother for her hand in marriage. It all worked out and they were married Jan. 30, 1971, at his parents’ house in Guckeen. They were blessed with one daughter, Michele. In their younger years they did a lot of moving around the southern Minnesota and northern Iowa area. Catarina worked a couple years at Telex in Blue Earth before having to leave due to injury. She then stayed home and took care of her family.

She was a very caring, outgoing and compassionate person with a strong Catholic faith. She always had a big smile on her face and was an amazing cook. She also enjoyed going to garage sales all over the area, shopping, especially for jewelry and going on walks and going out with Nieves wherever the road took them. She was so proud of all of her brothers and sisters but had a special place in her heart for her only grandchild, Sierra. They would often go shopping together and she would brag to anyone that would listen about how proud she was of her and her accomplishments.

Left to cherish such wonderful memories are her husband, Nieves, of Northfield; daughter, Michele (Brian) Fuchs, of Faribault; granddaughter, Sierra Fuchs; siblings, David (Josephine “Fina”) Olivo, Willie (Crystal) Olivo, Gloria (Scott) Steele and M. Vicki Olivo (Ken “Mike” Erickson); sister-in-law, Liz Olivo; as well as many other nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Carmel (George) Jahnke, Rosa Gonzales, Jose (Carrie) Olivo, Mary (Richard) Gonzales and Polo Olivo.