Rochelle

Bruna Noemi Martinez, 68, passed away unexpectedly December 25, 2025 at the Rochelle Community Hospital in Rochelle, Illinois. Bruna was born on November 10, 1957 to Tomás and Enedina (Portales) Almanza in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, México. On July 9, 1976, she married Juan Martinez Luna in Oregon, which was witnessed by Frank and Dolores Sandoval, both whom they revered as family. After briefly residing in Elgin and Hillcrest, the young couple settled in Rochelle, making it their forever home in a community that was welcoming to them.

Bruna, who was better known by her nickname "Mime" (pronounced mee-MAY), was the foundational bedrock for her family and undoubtedly whipped into shape potentially mischievous and rambunctious sons into the active, productive, and outstanding pillars of the community and members of society that they are today. [Of course, her husband helped too, but "la chancla" was equally effective when necessary -- ask a Hispanic person, they'll explain].

She had volunteered as a kindergarten teacher's aide at Central School, taking the opportunity to learn English alongside her twin boys, and had also worked for many years as a meatpacker in the bacon department at Rochelle Foods. She enjoyed working and providing for her family and while disability later prevented her from doing the former, she never let anything stop her from doing the latter or to dampen her independent spirit.

Bruna would participate in Catholic nine-day prayer tradition rituals (known as the Novena for the Deceased) whenever she could, as her faith, work history, and longtime standing in the Hispanic community had made her countless friends.

Her independence, quick wit, resilience, and resolve helped her battle back from injury, illness, and even kidney failure. She was a fighter to the very end and her sons are forever grateful to her for their lives, and as well as for her encouragement, values, and love. They are also thankful to God Almighty for blessing them with Bruna as their mother. While they will miss her dearly everyday, they also take great solace in the fact that she is now reunited with her son Danny.

Bruna is survived by her husband, Juan Luna of Rochelle; three sons: Juan Martinez, Guillermo Martinez both of Rochelle and Edward Martinez of Sunnyvale, CA; her sisters: Maria Isabel Almanza and San Juana Almanza (Lázaro Estrada) of Elgin, and Beatriz Contreras of Rochelle; her brother Tomás Almanza of Streamwood; and the many cats who will miss her kindness and presence: Wolfie, Smokey, Big Boy, Casper, Pinto, Blanca, and Cookie.

In addition to her parents, Bruna is preceded in death by her son, Daniel Martinez, who is forever honored with and memorialized by a tree and plaque located at Central School playground; her sisters: Irma Alicia Moreno (and her husband Roberto Moreno Cordova, who had just passed two days prior) and Enedina Almanza; her brother José Luis Almanza; her aunts whom she adored like sisters: Juana Estela Gonzalez and Rosa Emiliano; nieces and a nephew whom she loved as daughters and son: Paola Ramirez Rodriguez, Maria Estrada Almanza and her brother Lázaro Estrada Almanza; and beloved cats Tiger and Cha-Cha.

Visitation will be from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M., Friday, January 2, 2026 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., Rochelle. The funeral service will be held at 12:00 P.M., Saturday, January 3, 2026 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 244 Kelley Drive, Rochelle. Burial will follow at Lawnridge Cemetery in Rochelle. Memorials may be made in Bruna’s memory to the Ballet Folklórico group at Rochelle Township High School, as she had always supported her nieces' participation in continuing this beautiful cultural tradition.

Please visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.