Maria Cruz Valdez

"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Maria Cruz M. Valdez: May 3, 1928 - February 7, 2026

Maria Cruz Valdez passed away peacefully in the early morning of February 7, 2026, at Great Plains Health.

She was born Maria Cruz Martinez in Aguascalientes, Mexico, on May 3, 1928, to Jesus Martinez Sousa and Maria Escalera Martinez. She was the second child of four children, the youngest daughter and the longest surviving sibling.

Maria Cruz went to school for one year during a time when it was prohibited for women to go to school. At 19, she married her lifelong companion Miguel Valdez Calzada, and they remained married for 78 years. They had their first daughter Gregoria (Teresa) in 1948, followed by Maria de la Luz in 1950, Maria Delfina (Esperanza) in 1952, Maria del Carmen in 1954, and Teresa in 1957.

Maria Cruz and Miguel immigrated to the United States in 1978, where they lived in California and Utah before settling in North Platte, Nebraska, in 1979.

Maria Cruz was a wonderful woman, homemaker, cook, and grandmother. She loved life and cherished every moment she spent with her family and friends. They were truly her reason for living such a long life! Maria Cruz was always in the kitchen offering food to her guests. Her Mexican food was one of a kind, especially her homemade tortillas, enchiladas, pork chile, avena, beans, and rice. She also passed down her love of baking to her grandchildren.

In her spare time, Maria Cruz loved to crochet and knit, and she looked forward to her trips to the Senior Center to sew with her quilt group. She was a strong woman of faith, faithfully reading her Bible, participating in Bible studies, and always trusting in Jesus Christ, her Savior.

She was the BEST MOM and GRANDMOTHER, with a heart of gold. She always received her family and friends with a smile and open arms. She never passed judgment and believed we are all God's children. Her life lessons and childhood stories will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesus and Maria Martinez; her siblings Maria Guadalupe, Aurelio, and Manuel; her daughter Gregoria (Teresa); and her grandson Sergio Reyna.

Maria Cruz is survived by her husband Miguel; her four daughters: Maria de la Luz Montenegro of North Platte, Maria Delfina (Hector) of North Platte, Maria del Carmen (Jorge) Avelar of Aguascalientes, MX, and Maria Teresa of Aguascalientes, MX; grandchildren: Adriana Reyna of Aguascalientes, MX, Miguel Angel (Laura) Reyna of Chicago, Illinois, Osvaldo Reyna of Denver, Colorado, Omar (Patty) Reyna of North Platte, Ivan Reyna of Omaha, Beatriz Reyna of North Platte, Jennifer Reyna of Omaha, Brenda Beltran of Aguascalientes, MX, Arely Beltran of Aguascalientes, MX, Miguel Beltran of Aguascalientes, MX, Carmen Silvia Delgadillo of Aguascalientes, MX, Karla Delgadillo of Aguascalientes, MX, and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow the service at North Platte City Cemetery. A rosary will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026 at Odean Colonial Chapel. Odean Colonial Chapel is entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com