Catarina Martinez

Catarina Martinez, age 69 of Northfield and formerly Blue Earth passed away Friday February 18, 2022, at the Northfield Hospital. A memorial service will be held Wednesday February 23, 11AM at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Blue Earth with Fr. Andrew Beerman officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church.

Catarina was born March 14, 1952, to Guillermo and Ysabel (Cervantes) Olivo in San Marcos, TX. She was one of ten children. When she was young, the family moved to Minnesota, she went to Catholic school until the 5^th 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 January 30, 1971, at his parent's 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 & 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 and her 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.