Funeral services for 51-year old Melissa Martinez are Sat, Feb 3, 2024 at 2:00 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Hall in Kyle, SD, with Father Ron Seminara, SJ, and John Bush officiating with traditional Lakota services by John Red Feather
Burial is at the Martinez Family Cemetery in American Horse Creek near Kyle.
A two-night wake service will be held. The first night starts Thurs, Feb 1, at noon at the Martinez Ranch near Kyle. The second night begins at noon on Friday, Feb 2, at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Hall in Kyle with rosary services at 7:00 Friday night.
Online condolences may be left at siouxfuneralhome.com
Melissa Edith Martinez “Cante Skuya Win” was born on Jan 5, 1973 in Pine Ridge, SD to Molbay Martinez Sr and Mary (Red Feather) Martinez. Melissa, a devoted mother of 7 sons, started her next journey on Jan 26, 2024. Her life was a testament to boundless love, strength, and pride in her family.
One of 13 siblings, Melissa grew up on the Martinez Ranch with her siblings and numerous cousins. This was where she learned the values of compassion, resilience, and the importance of familial bonds.
These early experiences shaped her into the nurturing and strong-minded woman she became. Carrying the lessons from her large family into her travels, she always found a way to get where she was going.
Melissa’s greatest joy was witnessing the successes of her boys – be it in their education, careers, or personal endeavors. Her heart swelled with pride as each son achieved milestones, reflecting the values she instilled in them – kindness, perseverance, and the importance of family bonds.
May the love and pride she felt for her children, rooted in her rich family history, continue to resonate and serve as a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Melissa is survived by her mother Mary (Red Feather) Martinez; children Keith (Alyssa) Martinez, Johnathan Davis, Ethan Davis, Maurice Davis, Marquis Davis, Andre Martinez, and Bennett Martinez; siblings Molbay Martinez Jr, Danette Martinez, Loretta (David) Martinez-Morales, Julia (Edgar) Martinez-Perea, Sharon Martinez, Ellen (Charles) Martinez-Kieffe, Walter (Annette) Martinez, Flint Martinez, Antoine “Tony” (Jessica) Martinez, Marilu Martinez; hunka sisters Angel Figuroa, Ladean Ferguson, Faye, Lynn, and Yvette Hernandez, and Toni Giago; grandchildren Tavie Martinez, Klea Martinez, Jeffery Davis, and Johnia Davis; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, & nephews.
Melissa was preceded in death by her spouse Shelton Ortega Jr; father Molbay Martinez Sr; siblings Mary Louise Martinez and Daniel Thomas Martinez; paternal grandparents Walter & Edith (Clifford) Martinez; and maternal grandparents Katherine and Flint Red Feather.
Pallbearers will be Molbay Martinez III, Kallen Carpio, Eddie Quick Bear, Edgar Perea Jr, Santana Janis, Marty Martinez, Walter “Pepper” Martinez Jr, Conan Janis, Adam Clifford, Austin Watkins Jr, Seth Martinez, LDee Hernandez, Lainey Martinez, and Alexandra “Ally” Martinez.
Honorary pallbearers will be all Nieces, Nephews, Family, Friends, & Relatives.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD