Karen "Kacey" (Heinze) Martinez, 60, passed away peacefully in her home on July 23, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Kacey was born in Minneapolis, MN on January 31, 1956, to Ben and Kitty (Svenneby) Heinze. She grew up in Moorhead, MN where she attended school, excelled in Track and graduated from Moorhead High School Class of 1974. In 1978 she married Jesse Martinez. They had three children, and made their home in Moorhead. They later divorced but remained friends.

Kacey and family moved to Barnesville in 1992 where they raised their children and made many close friends. While there, Kacey worked as a CNA at the Barnesville Good Samaritan Center. In 2011 Kacey moved back to Moorhead where she met and fell in love with Gar Albert; he was by her side until the end.

Her children remember her as enjoying the simple things in life, never being afraid to dance and always making sure that you knew she cared.

She is survived by her three children: Jamie Martinez, Georgetown, MN; Mandie (Kenny Garrett) Martinez, Kindred, ND; and Ben (Angie Jokela) Martinez, Moorhead, MN; seven grandchildren: Quentin Martinez, Kyler Martinez, Mia Garrett, Jesse Garrett, Emmalee Garrett, Greysen Martinez and Ana Martinez; sister, Cricket (Dan) Meyer; brothers, John (Julie) Heinze and Mitch (Dawn) Heinze; and many nieces and nephews.

Kacey was preceded in death by her parents, Kitty and Ben Heinze.