Martha "Grandma Tita" Zertuche

Martha “Grandma Tita” Rodriquez Zertuche, 76, of Ballinger, Texas went to her heavenly home, on Thursday, February 4, 2021.

She was born on September 20, 1944, to Luther and Isabel (Guevara) Rodriquez in Ballinger, Texas. She attended Howard College.  Martha married the love of her life Oscar on August 2, 1959, in Ballinger, and together they shared 61 beautiful years together.  Martha was a gift to everyone who knew her, while she spent time working in several fields, her true calling was to her church.  As a member of St. Mary Star of the Sea, she emulated the Mother Mary in her service to all of the groups she was a member of.  She was a member of the Guadalupana Society, served on the parish council for 28 years, Parish life for six years, and taught CCD for 10 years.  Her service did not stop there, she was also in charge of the team that cleaned the church for over 30 years and sang with the church choir for 28 years.  Like Oscar always said, “If she is not at home look for her at the church.” Martha also served for as the democratic chairperson of Runnels County for 12 years.  Among her many different kinds of service, her greatest service of all was to her pride and joy, her family, whom she loved dearly.

She is preceded in death by her parents Luther and Isabel, her sister Delphine Rodriquez, and her son Oscar Zertuche Jr.

Martha is survived by her husband Oscar, her son David “Shorty” Zertuche and wife Shana of Ballinger, her son Scotty of Pleasanton, Tx, her sister Mary Martinez of Pearland, her sister Frances Patino of Ballinger, sister JoElda and Rodrick Jones of Katy, Tx, and daughter-in-law Annette Zertuche.  She will also be dearly remembered by her grandchildren Nancy Nicole, Rachel Maria, Victoria Ann, Brayden Phillip, Austen Brice, Garrett Ryan, Bryce Scott, Berlyn Shea, Blake Scott, and Bryan Scott; and her great-grandchildren Samuel Ray and Armani Denise.

A rosary for Martha will be said on Sunday, February 7, 2021, at the chapel at Lange Funeral Home at 6:00 pm.  Her Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 10:00 am at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Ballinger, Tx with Fr. Ariel Lagunilla celebrating.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the staff at Shannon Medical Center for their tender love and care of Martha.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the St. Mary’s Guadalupana’s Society or to the Latin American Cemetery Association.