Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Eads. Burial will follow in the Eads Cemetery.


Martina LeGrand of Eads Colorado passed away November 11, 2013 at Weisbrod Memorial Extended Care Unit with family by her side.

Martina was born to Salvador and Eva Gutierrez, November 12, 1931 in Wiley Colorado. She moved with her family several times up and down the Arkansas Valley before they finally settled in Rocky Ford Colorado.

Rocky Ford is where Martina met the love of her life, Clarence LeGrand. They were married November 11, 1953. Two sons and two daughters were born to this union, Tom, Elaine, Lois and Dale.

In 1959 Clarences company, CIG, transferred him to Beaver Oklahoma. There the family lived for 12 years before Clarence was again transferred, this time to Eads Colorado in 1971. There was one more move for the family taking them to Dove Creek Colorado in 1974 where Clarence retired and passed away in 1977 which led Martina to the decision to move back and call her final home Eads.

As a young girl, Martina loved to attend school and always regretted the fact that she had to drop out after the 5th grade to work to help out with the family finances but that circumstance helped to develop her strong work ethic. Anyone who remembers Martina, remembers her as always on the go. She was always doing something, except of course, when she would settle down to watch her favorite NFL team, the Denver Broncos, followed closely by the Green Bay Packers, or to root on college football teams such as Notre Dame and the Oklahoma Boomer Sooners.

Other pastimes and hobbies included bowling, crocheting, going for long walks, playing cards, listening to music and dancing, and working crossword puzzles. Her children were always amazed at the difficult crossword puzzles she would complete, especially with little formal education.

But her number one favorite pastime was fishing. She and Clarence would go fishing every chance they could. The children grew up learning to fish and even hunt on occasion. Later, after Clarences death, Martina continued the pastime by recruiting anyone she could to join her. Teaching her grandchildren to fish ensured her of some future fishing buddies. A nice day would have Grandma at the door step asking her grandchildren if they were ready to go trooching.

Martina held odd jobs off and on during her married life but her number one job was mom and wife. She was the typical devoted mother, a wonderful cook, volunteering with the local Brownies (young girl scouts), and following her children in all their activities. She was a devoted grandmother as well and the biggest fan of whatever sports the grandchildren happened to be playing in or any activity they were involved in.

Martina was baptized on May 5th, 2002 and was a member of the First Christian Church in Eads Colorado where she attended regularly until health issues necessitated a move into the nursing home. When she was still able, Martina would often visit residence at the Weisbrod Nursing Home so it was fitting that is where she spent her final days here on earth.

Martina is survived by her children, Tom (Tina) LeGrand, Clearwater, Kansas; Elaine (Kenny) Lindholm, Eads, CO; Lois (Rusty) Paintin, Kit Carson, CO; Dale (Vera) LeGrand, Grand Junction, CO; Four Stepsons, Norman (Sue) LeGrand, Dubuque, Iowa; Ronnie (Hope) LeGrand, Dubuque, Iowa; Clarence (Sharon) LeGrand, Hazelgreen, Wisconsin; Alvin (Connie) LeGrand, Zwingle, Iowa; Two sisters, Ida (Andy) Aragon, and Pauline (Joe) Aragon of Rocky Ford, Colorado; Two Brothers, Manuel Gutierrez and Anthony Cruz of Tracy, California, 10 Grandchildren and 17 step-grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren, along with extended family from Colorado, New Mexico, California, Iowa and many, many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother, Miguel Pete Gutierrez, and one sister, Inez Talmich.

In lieu of flowers, memorial Contributions may be made to Weisbrod Memorial Hospital Auxilary at PO Box 817, Eads, CO 81036.