Lupe Martinez

September 6, 1930 – April 30, 2021

Lupe, 90, peacefully went to be with her Lord on April 30, 2021 with her family by her side.

Lupe was born on September 6, 1930 to Damian and Senaida V. Lujan in Espanola, New Mexico. She was the seventh child of eleven children. After graduating high school, Lupe's calling was to help the sick. She became a nurses aide at a nearby hospital. It was during this time she met her future husband, Eli Martinez, who was recently discharged from the Army.

Lupe later joined her sister in Ogden, Utah where she worked at a hospital. Eli, who was working for the Union Pacific Railroad in Wells, NV at the time, heard Lupe was in Ogden, and began visiting her. The couple was married on June 18, 1955 in Velarde, New Mexico.

Lupe and Eli moved to Nevada in 1956 and had four children: Danny, Linda, Tina and Isabelle.

As a mother of four, Lupe went back to school to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. She graduated from Elko Community College in 1971 with a License in Practical Nursing, and began her career with Elko General Hospital.

Lupe was a devoted, nurturing mother and grandmother, with unwavering faith. She often worked night shifts, and babysat her grandchildren during the day. After 21 years, she retired from Elko General Hospital to care for her grandchildren.

In retirement, she was able to travel to the "Holy Land" in Jerusalem, Israel and later to Portugal, France, and Spain. During her life she was active in the Legion of Mary, and volunteered for the Women of St. Joseph and Horizon Hospice. She was awarded the 2010-2011 Direct Caregiver Award. Those that knew Lupe, knew a kind, caring and patient soul.

She is preceded in death by both parents, Damian and Senaida Lujan; her husband Eli of 56 years; her son Danny; four sisters, and four brothers.

She is survived by her daughters Linda (Lyle) Olen, Tina McCarson, and Isabelle Belsher all of Elko; four grandchildren, Derrick (Venessa) Olen, Danielle Olen, Heath Belsher and Kayla McCarson; two great grandchildren, Jeremiah and Jaxson; two sisters, Ramona Salazar and Carmen (John) Marsh of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and many nieces and nephews.

A viewing and rosary will be held Friday, May 7 from 5:00-7:00 p.m., with the rosary beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home, 895 Fairgrounds Rd. Elko, NV 89801.

A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, May 8 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 990 Highland Dr. Elko, NV 89801, with a burial at the Burns Memorial Garden and reception to follow.

The family would like to thank Billie Jean Crawford, Horizon Hospice, Genesis and all those who helped with the care of our mother and grandmother.

To honor Lupe, donations can be made to Horizon Hospice, Terrace Business Center 1250 NV-227 STE 413 Elko, NV 89801.

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