Melecia Valdez Martinez, 72 of Sioux City passed away Monday, March 23, 2026 at home surrounded by family. A memorial visitation will be held Monday, March 30, 2026 from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M. at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. A burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery immediately following the visitation.

Melecia was born the daughter of Victor De Vera Valdez and Sixta Parinas Valdez on December 4, 1953 in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan Philippines.

She finished her degree as Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Saint Louis University, in Baguio City P.I. She worked as a nurse at Banez clinic afterwards. Melecia met Amante Martinez at the clinic and married in 1982. His military career kept the family moving around the US until they settled in Iowa in 1997.

Melecia worked at Affordable Dentures for over 10 years, until her retirement. She was loved and brought joy & laughter to friends there because of her warm heart and kindness. They were always looking forward to Melecia bringing in her home cooked lumpia (eggrolls), pansit noodles and especially her coconut cake. She was a strong and beautiful woman who was able to accomplish any goals she set out to do.

She was an avid gardener. She cared for a large garden at her home and enjoyed tending to her flowers, growing vegetables and posted pictures with her granddaughters of her vegetable harvest and blooming flowers. She loved spending time with her family and grandchildren, taking yearly family vacations of adventure in California and Hawaii, she also loved traveling within the Midwest and shopping.

Melecia is survived by her husband, Amante A. Martinez; son, Allan V. Martinez; grandchildren, Chloe and Ashlynn Martinez; her granddaughters mother Tara; siblings, Teofilo Valdez and Virgie Valdez; sister in law Dominga Valdez; niece Rina; nephew Edmar; niece Jenny Ann; nephew GianCarlo; granddaughter Tanya; nephew Rex & Ray; brother in law Roger Martinez; sister & brother in law Fely & Ferdi Singson; nephew & niece in law Galloway, Galileo, Faith, Leslie, Monique and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; father & mother in laws Aquilino Martinez & Felicidad Martinez; sisters Flor Valdez and Maria Centeno; nephews Virgil and Anthony Centeno; niece in law Nerissa.