Jesus ‘Jessie’ Martinez Viegra, 87, of Hutchinson, died of Covid-19, on Feb. 21, 2021, at Hospice House. She was born June 7, 1933, in Hutchinson, to Lucia (Hernandez) and Tiofilo Concepcion ‘TC’ Martinez.
Jessie attended Hutchinson public schools, graduating from Salt City Business College in 1952, and Hutchinson Community College in 1972.
She married Victor D. Viegra in 1954, and together they had seven children. They divorced in 1970.
While raising her seven children, Jessie worked various jobs throughout her life. Those included secretary to pathologist, Dr. Hans Lettner, dispatcher at Hutchinson Fire Department Station #1, and medical records transcriptionist at Hutchinson Hospital, from which she had to retire due to a sudden hearing loss in 1994.
In addition to the joy Jessie got being with her family, she was a voracious reader, who enjoyed reading any subject, and was a strong believer in higher education.
Jessie was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, South Hutchinson. There was nothing that brought her more comfort than her Catholic faith, praying the rosary, reading about her faith or watching a Catholic program or Mass on EWTN. Some of her last words to her children was to pray – something she told them often throughout her life.
Jessie is survived by her children, David Viegra, Bel Aire, Victoria Cooper (Pat), Hutchinson, Veronica Viegra, Independence, MO, Maria Chris Shafer (Larry), Hutchinson, Valerie Cox (Jimmie) Wichita, Jennifer Frye, Lenexa; grandchildren, Amy Ewing (Sean), Julie Viegra-Gayler (Jeff), Brian Viegra (Carla), Olivia Viegra, Petra Bricker (Matt), Allen Shafer (MariBeth), Catherine Shafer (Justin Pierce), Micah Cox, Nicholas Cox (Mandy), Melissa Cox, Andrea Frye, Rachel Okerberg (Kirby), Matthew Frye; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and one great-great on the way; sister, Beatrice Almanza, Hutchinson; brother-in-law, Antonio Augusto, Topeka; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Felicia Ann Viegra Woodson; brothers, Julian Martinez, Joseph Martinez, Concho Martinez, Raymond Martinez; sisters, Mary Augusto and Elenora Navarro.
Parish Rosary will be 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, led by Father Todd Shepherd. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, celebrated by Fathers Charles Seiwert and Ned Blick, both at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 612 S Maple St., South Hutchinson. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at Elliott Mortuary.
For those unable to attend, both the Rosary and Mass will be live-streamed on the church’s Youtube page.
Memorials are suggested to the church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.