Elvira Martinez

Memorial services for Elvira Martinez, 91, Lawrence, KS, will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 8, 2023, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Elvira passed away Friday, December 8, 2023, at her residence. 

Elvira was born on December 4, 1932, in Mercedes, TX, the daughter of Julian and Silvestra Guzman. Elvira grew up in Edinburg, TX and spent the bulk of her professional life in southwestern Michigan where she was the executive director of a rural health initiative that serviced agricultural workers. She lived in New Mexico for 12 years and eventually retired to Boise, ID.  The last years of her life were spent in Michigan and Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, several siblings and husbands, Lino Lopez, Dolores Solis and Tito P. Martinez.

Survivors include her children, Velma (Robert) Hendershott, Lino (Patti) Lopez Jr., Cris (Bill) Anderson, Beatrice (John Kennedy) Solis, Adela Solis, sisters, Beatriz Noriega, Modesta Guzman, grandchildren, Jennifer (Mark) Pangburn, Catherine (Luke) Hilpert, Amanda Lopez, Gabriella (Alex) Drake, Tyler Anderson, Elizabeth Anderson, Maria Kennedy, Sage Kennedy, and great-grandchildren, Elena Pangburn, Bea Pangburn, and Patton Hilpert.

The family suggests memorials in Elvira’s name to Douglas County VNA (Hospice) or Doctors without Borders and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

4 Condolences

  1. Joe Francisco on December 13, 2023 at 12:06 pm

    Velma, our condolences to you and your family.



  2. Catherine Hopkins on December 13, 2023 at 3:08 pm

    What a beautiful life Elvira lived. My condolences to you, Velma, and your family.



  3. Pat & Kevin Lorenz on January 6, 2024 at 10:57 am

    Dear Cris, Bill, Tyler, Liz and Dela,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
    We are so sorry we can’t be there for you at this difficult time. Cris every time I saw your mother I was so impressed with her energy and zest for life. We love you guys!



  4. Lisa Rogstad on February 23, 2024 at 8:34 am

    Vera you will be missed. I enjoyed our friendship that formed while working together at Kmart in Boise. I will cherish the talks we had. I am so happy I stopped by your apartment unannounced and helped you get your biscuits out of the oven. I thought it might be our last visit.



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