Stella Martinez Johnson, 80, of St. Maries, Idaho, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2010 at St. Maries, after a 10 month battle with lung cancer. Stella was born in Capulin, Colorado on December 10, 1929, to Jose Damacio Martinez Sr. and Rose Cantu Martinez. Following the death of her father, the family moved to Southern Idaho. Rose later married Frank Garcia and they settled in the city of Twin Falls, ID, where Stella grew up and graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1950. Following graduation, Stella moved to St. Maries and went to work at the County Court House as a clerk for Health and Welfare. In 1952, Stella was named Miss Benewah, during this time she met her life long companion, Donald Johnson, and they were married on June 6, 1953. She loved being a stay at home mom raising her family and playing with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. While raising her children, she was also involved in the Catholic Church and St. Jude's Guild. Stella is survived by her husband of 57 years, Donald; daughters and sons in-law; Renee and Jamie Odom of Post Falls, ID; Anita and John Porter of Chicago, ILL; son and daughter in-law Tony and Carey Johnson of St. Maries, ID. Grandchildren; Jessica and Amanda Renee, Tori Anita, Clark and Tedi Kaye Tony. Stella also has four great-grandsons and two great grand daughters. Stella is also survived by her sisters and brother in-laws, Martha and Mike Burroughs of Boise, ID; Rita and Ron Woodall of Twin Falls, ID; and brother Frank and Annette Garcia of Spokane, WA; sister in-law Jeanette Martinez of Twin Falls, ID, and numerous nieces and nephews whom she all loved dearly. She is preceded in death by brothers; Sam, "Blackie"; Jose Jr.; and Walter, as well as her parents, Jose Damacio Martinez Sr., Rose Cantu Martinez Garcia, and Frank Garcia Sr. There will be a private family gathering at a later date. In lieu of flowers or anything else, Please donate to Hospice of North Idaho.
