1962
Karen
2016
Karen Martinez
February 15, 1962 — July 26, 2016
Karen was born in Durango, Colorado to Jimmy and Nora Thurstonson. She married her high school sweetheart, Casey Gene Martinez and they celebrated their 37th year of marriage in March of this year. As co-owner of High Tech Rental Tools, Karen (Boss Lady) was admired and loved by the employees.
At the age of 32, Karen was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She stubbornly battled this disease with grace and dignity along her pilgrim journey and now walks in peace with the Lord. We often heard “nobody can feel this bad and look this good.”
Karen never wanted anyone to feel sorry for her. She often said, “Without MS, I wouldn’t know God.” She lived her faith. It wasn’t a lip service, but a life service. She considered her disease a gift because it brought her back to God.
Karen loved her family and friends with all of her heart. Her “boys” meant the world to her. She loved them to the moon and back! Friends referred to her as being an angel, rebel, crazy, and naïve but yet witty. Her request to be the favorite was honored by many if not all, eventually. She always got her way! As soon as a niece/nephew was born they were taught “Favorite Aunt Karen”.
She is preceded in death by her father Jimmy Thurstonson and nephew Christopher Martinez.
She is survived by her husband, Casey Gene Martinez; son, Casey Lee Martinez, wife Taylor and children, Bryce, Tristin and Camron of Flora Vista; daughter, Rebecca Swarts and husband Jason of Aztec; Mother, Nora Thurstonson of Bloomfield; Siblings: John Thurstonson and wife Lori of Flora Vista, Patty Brown and husband Paul of La Grange, Texas, Tommy Thurstonson and wife Kristina of Snohomish, Wash., Lori VanRyan and husband Vance of Houston, Texas. She also leaves behind 19 nieces and nephews, several aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends who played very important roles in her life.
A celebration of life and funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 3 at the First United Methodist Church, 2917 Aspen Drive in Durango. Graveside services will follow at Greenmount Cemetery, 900 Cemetery Road in Durango.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to National MS Society, www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate.
At the age of 32, Karen was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She stubbornly battled this disease with grace and dignity along her pilgrim journey and now walks in peace with the Lord. We often heard “nobody can feel this bad and look this good.”
Karen never wanted anyone to feel sorry for her. She often said, “Without MS, I wouldn’t know God.” She lived her faith. It wasn’t a lip service, but a life service. She considered her disease a gift because it brought her back to God.
Karen loved her family and friends with all of her heart. Her “boys” meant the world to her. She loved them to the moon and back! Friends referred to her as being an angel, rebel, crazy, and naïve but yet witty. Her request to be the favorite was honored by many if not all, eventually. She always got her way! As soon as a niece/nephew was born they were taught “Favorite Aunt Karen”.
She is preceded in death by her father Jimmy Thurstonson and nephew Christopher Martinez.
She is survived by her husband, Casey Gene Martinez; son, Casey Lee Martinez, wife Taylor and children, Bryce, Tristin and Camron of Flora Vista; daughter, Rebecca Swarts and husband Jason of Aztec; Mother, Nora Thurstonson of Bloomfield; Siblings: John Thurstonson and wife Lori of Flora Vista, Patty Brown and husband Paul of La Grange, Texas, Tommy Thurstonson and wife Kristina of Snohomish, Wash., Lori VanRyan and husband Vance of Houston, Texas. She also leaves behind 19 nieces and nephews, several aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends who played very important roles in her life.
A celebration of life and funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 3 at the First United Methodist Church, 2917 Aspen Drive in Durango. Graveside services will follow at Greenmount Cemetery, 900 Cemetery Road in Durango.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to National MS Society, www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Karen Martinez, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Service Information
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Starts at 11:00 am (Mountain time)
First United Methodist Church
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