Benita Martinez Elizalde

Benita Martinez Elizalde, 92, a longtime resident of Warden, Wash., passed away at her home Dec. 28, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. 

Benita was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Anselmo and Francisca Obregon Martinez on May 8, 1932. The family moved to Washington in 1956. She married Jose Elizalde on July 7, 1958, in Grandview, Wash. After moving to Warden, she worked for Skone and Connors for many years.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking, tending to her plants and flowers, dancing and visiting the casinos.  

In 1986, Benita dedicated herself to her family and home. She cherished watching her grandchildren grow up. 

She loved to cook and would not accept a “No, thank you,” when she offered a meal. She opened her house to her grandchildren and their friends for lunch, which was a short walk from the school.  She hosted wrestlers and yes, she even made lunch during football season. For many, many years and up until last month, she was making the grandkids and great-grandkids a bean taco for their after-school snack. Her selflessness was one of her many beautiful qualities. 

Benita was a sweetheart with a kind soul. She would light up the room with her smile. She was happy when she had visitors. She cherished family events and some of her favorites were birthday parties, holiday get-togethers and family barbeques. 

A yearly highlight for Jose and Benita was to bring in the new year with dancing and celebrating in Grandview with her brother, Pedro, and sister-in-law Amelia. 

Benita is survived by her brothers Damian Martinez and Mario Martinez; her children — Anselmo Alvarado (Lucila), Francis Leinweber (Raymond), Joe Elizalde (Irasema), Ricardo Elizalde (Nelda) and Alfredo Elizalde.  She had 13 grandchildren — Jake Leinweber, Ryan Leinweber, Kristina Garza (Ricky), Caprice DeHart (Kevin), Adrian Alvarado (Amy), Gabriel Alvarado, David Alvarado, Stephanie Elizalde, Sara Martinez (Mark), Stephen Elizalde (Natalie), Joseph Elizalde (Brandy), Amanda Ranck (Corbin) and Zachary Elizalde. She had 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved.  

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jose Elizalde, her parents, Anselmo and Francisca Martinez, her brothers, Pedro Martinez (Amelia), Herculano Martinez (Delores), sisters Celia Martinez, Santa Jimenez (Jenaro) and Maria Gonzales. 

A special thanks to her nieces Celia Castaneda and Marina Martinez for their compassion and generosity. 

Visitation will be held at Queen of All Saints Church in Warden on Jan. 2, 2025, from 9 a.m. — 11 a.m. Funeral service will be held at Queen of All Saints Church on Jan. 2, 2025, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Warden.  

Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at https://bit.ly/BENITAMELIZALDE. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.