- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Beloved Tooele Resident Rafaelita Ortega Martinez Dies at 92
Longtime Army Depot employee and community pillar is remembered for her vibrant spirit and deep family ties.
Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:13pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The vibrant life and deep Catholic faith of Rafaelita Ortega Martinez will be celebrated by her large, loving family and community at her funeral in Tooele.Tooele TodayRafaelita Ortega Martinez, a longtime resident of Tooele, Utah, passed away on April 3, 2026 at the age of 92. Martinez was known for her vibrant personality, deep commitment to her Catholic faith and community, and her large, close-knit family. She worked for many years at the Tooele Army Depot, rising to the rank of GM-13 in procurement before retiring in 1991 after 39 years of service.
Why it matters
Martinez's life story reflects the experiences of many Latinos in the American West, navigating economic hardship, military service, and tight-knit family traditions. Her decades of service at the Tooele Army Depot also highlight the important role that government facilities have played in providing stable employment and community anchors in smaller cities.
The details
Born in Costilla, New Mexico in 1933, Martinez grew up in a large family before moving to California, Grantsville, Utah, and eventually settling in Tooele in 1952. There, she met her husband Ruben, an Army veteran, and they raised four children together. Martinez worked her way up from a clerk typist to a high-ranking procurement official at the Tooele Army Depot, where she helped negotiate and finalize several major building projects. In her personal life, Martinez was known for her love of dancing, camping, and spending time with her large extended family.
- Martinez was born on November 30, 1933 in Costilla, New Mexico.
- She began her career as a clerk typist at Dugway Proving Ground in 1952.
- Martinez moved to the Tooele Army Depot in 1962 and worked in contracting and procurement until her retirement in 1991.
- Martinez passed away on April 3, 2026 at the age of 92.
The players
Rafaelita Ortega Martinez
A longtime resident of Tooele, Utah who worked for 39 years at the Tooele Army Depot, rising to the rank of GM-13 in procurement before retiring in 1991. She was known for her vibrant personality, deep Catholic faith, and close-knit family.
Ruben Martinez
Rafaelita's husband, an Army veteran who she met in Tooele in 1952.
What’s next
A public visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 11 at St. Marguerite Catholic Church in Tooele, followed by her funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Interment at the Tooele City Cemetery and a luncheon at St. Marguerite will follow.
The takeaway
Rafaelita Ortega Martinez's life embodied the resilience, faith, and family-centered values of many Latino communities in the American West. Her decades of public service and active involvement in the Tooele community left a lasting impact that will be celebrated by her large, loving family and many friends.
