Martina Maria Cadena, 35, of Coralville, formerly of Burlington, died at 6:10 a.m. Saturday, July 25, 2009, in Des Moines as the result of an automobile accident.
Born Jan. 11, 1974, in Burlington, she was the daughter of Octavio G. and Elaine S. Meier Cadena. Martina was a massage therapist, nanny and helped children with special needs.
She was a 1993 graduate of Burlington Notre Dame High School and a 1999 graduate of Capri College in Cedar Rapids.
She was of the Catholic faith. She loved animals, especially her cat, Miss Kitty, traveling, swimming, watching movies, listening to music, making nostalgic jewelry, and family vacations. She especially loved her nieces and nephews.
Survivors include her mother and stepfather, Mitchell and Elaine Cortelyou of Stronghurst, Ill.; her father, Octavio Cadena of Brownsville, Texas; maternal grandfather, Veryl Meier of Niota, Ill.; one brother, Rocky Meier, of Burlington; four sisters, Rachel Schlueter of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, Reyna Cadena of Chandler, Ariz., Nikki Cadena and Monica Cadena, both of Burlington; 16 nieces and nephews, Austin, Justine, Autumn, Zander, Raden, Mariah, Sophia, Nicholas, Raven, Aniquea, Dominic, Eric, Jadalyn, Janiesha, Janiah, and Martin; many cousins, aunts, and uncles; and three special friends, Sue Travis, Robert "Rolla" Brandon, and Dave Brown.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandma, Sylvia Meier, and paternal grandparents, Rafaela and Pedro Cadena.
Visitation will be from noon until 8 p.m. with the family to receive friends following a 4 p.m. rosary service until 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at the Hass-Thielen Funeral Home.
The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Miss Cadena will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2009, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Rev. Father Troy A. Richmond as the Celebrant. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Her body will be cremated following the Funeral Mass. The Graveside Committal Service and Inurnment will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 30, 2009 in Sacred Heart Cemetery with Rev. Father Troy A. Richmond officiating.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for a scholarship in Martina’s memory at Burlington Notre Dame High School.
The Hass-Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Martina’s obituary at www.hassthielen.com.
