Nettie (Flores) Martinez, 78, Independence, MO, passed away Saturday, September 3, 2011. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, September 8, at St. Mark Catholic Church, 3736 Lee's Summit Rd., Independence, MO 64055. Burial will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home, 2117 Independence Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64124, where the Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society or the Lupus Foundation of America.

Nettie was born December 25, 1932 in Kansas City, MO to Estaban and Mary (Barajas) Flores. She was an energetic person, full of life, who never met a stranger. She enjoyed cooking and shopping at the mall, but her deepest love was for her family. Nettie was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Mark Parish.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Joe Flores and Jesse Flores; and her sisters, Lupe Delgado, Amelia Flores and Alice Ermantrout.

Nettie is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jose Martinez; her children, Alfonso Martinez (Jill), Larry Martinez, Suzanne Higbee (Joe), Gregory Martinez (Megan); grandchildren, Danielle Martinez, Joel Blevins, Rebecca Martinez, Natalie Martinez, Allison Martinez, Ava Martinez; great-grandson, Ashdon Martinez; step-grandchildren, Matthew Higbee, Rachel Higbee; brother, Andy Flores (Judy); nieces and nephew, Rose Bleyenberg, Emma Stewart, Steve Mejia, Marsha Howell; and many other nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers: Joel Blevins, Steve Mejia, Joe Bleyenberg, Greg Stewart, Paul Howell, Joe Delgado.