Martina Vela Aranda, 77 years of age, passed on Sunday, November 20, 2022, in Elkhart, Kansas. Martina was born January 18, 1945, to Macedonia Morales and Isadoro Vela in San Pedro, Coyame, Cuchillo Parado Chihuahua, Mexico

She is survived by her four children: daughters, Soila (Alfredo) Delgado, Simona (Greg) Aranda, Jeanette Aranda; and son, Auden (Derenda) Aranda. She was blessed with eight grandchildren; Joey, Debbie, Isabel, Ramee, Auden, Martina, Fiona, and Noa, and three great-grandchildren; Liam, Mya, and Lily, as well as her beloved nieces and nephews.

Martina settled in Elkhart, Kansas with her late husband, Jesus Aranda, in 1975 and built her life there: buying a house, making it a home, and proudly supporting and cherishing her family. She supported her family working multiple jobs including being a favorite cook at restaurants in town. She was most proud of becoming a US Citizen in 2001.

On any given day you could find Martina in her yard donning a considerably large straw hat tending to her lawn, flowers, and bountiful garden. Master Gardener does not touch the scale of her capabilities and unusual ability, she had to make anything grow. We are all fascinated by the connection and relationship she cultivated with the earth.

The bounty from her garden created “Food for the Soul” in her kitchen. If she knew you were visiting, there would be a dish of something fantastic waiting for you, and if you were visiting unexpectedly within minutes there would be a feast fit for kings!

Her life was a blessing to many but a refuge to her children. She was the definition of Strength, Grit, and Resilience.

The last of seven maternal siblings to walk through the Gates of Heaven, Martina is preceded in death by her mother, Macedonia Morales, and her beloved brothers: Jose Flex Acosta, Erasmo Morales, Socorro Morales, Eladio Morales, Guadalupe Morales and her partner in crime, her sister, Maria Aranda.

Also preceded in death by her father, Isadoro Vela. Paternal siblings include Pilar, Socorro, Francisca, Jesus, Elia, Lorenza, Maria, Isadoro, Martha, Felipe, Andres, Esperanza, and Augustin Vela.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 1:00 PM at the First Church of God in Elkhart with Sean Hanes officiating. Interment will follow at the Elkhart Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, November 25, 2022, with family present from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Elkhart Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Elkhart Church of Christ in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.