Romelia Martinez

Obituary

Romelia Martinez

Romelia Viola 'Pidgeon' Martinez, 68, was called home Tuesday, February 24, 2026 after enduring a very challenging health journey with breast cancer.

Romelia was born December 21, 1957 in Nyssa, Oregon, the daughter of Ione Elizabeth Bad Hawk-Martinez and Romelio Martinez Sr. She was Mexican-American and an enrolled member of the Assiniboine-Sioux Tribe in Fort Peck, Montana.

Pidgeon spent her childhood in Nyssa OR, Blackfoot ID, Poplar MT and Firth ID. She lived in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California throughout her life, but made her home in Fort Hall ID.

She attended the HEP program in Washington and earned her Bachelors of General Studies at Idaho State University in Pocatello where she was on the Dean's List.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Fort Hall branch. She focused on traditional values and beliefs.

Romelia was employed as a Technician II with the Shoshone-Bannock Cultural Resource/HETO Program, a unit technician with the Shoshone-Bannock Four Directions Treatment Program, a Wildland Firefighter/crew boss with the Shoshone-Bannock Wildland Fire department and a labor/truck driver at various agricultural companies.

She was involved in cancer support groups and activities, from which she gathered immense knowledge and support. She enjoyed photography, beading, sewing and was a nature enthusiast. She enjoyed traveling to all area mountains, cities, towns and natural wonders of the world. She enjoyed attending her sons and grandchildrens sporting events, from basketball, baseball, football, wrestling...you name it, she was there.

Pidgeon is survived by her children, Heather Martinez of Fort Hall ID, Alfredo (Molly) Pena Jr. of Chubbuck ID and Adam (Elise) Martinez of Fort Hall ID; her mother, Ione Bad Hawk-Martinez of Firth ID; siblings Eveon Garrett, Katie Martinez, Debbie Lowdermilk, Angel (Ron) Bailey, Romelio 'Alvin' Martinez Jr., Josephina 'Sonya' Martinez and Joseph Martinez; 7 grandchildren, Leiyah, Juanita, Salisha and Luis Quezada, Aven, Ayana and Ayralya Martinez; and 5 great grandchildren, RJ, Dean and Laviana Perkins and Idris and Izaiha Quezada; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father, Romelio Martinez Sr.; maternal grandparents Katie Looking Bad Hawk and Jacob Bad Hawk; and paternal grandparents Francisca Apodaca and Thomas Martinez; and great granddaughter, Esmiie Quezada.

Funeral services will be held at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the Hawker Funeral Home, 132 S. Shilling Avenue in Blackfoot. The family will meet with friends for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.