Reyes Cardona

Reyes Cardona, age 71, of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at Monument Rehab and Care in Scottsbluff. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, October 25, 2024, at Reverence Funeral Parlor in Scottsbluff with Pastor David Luna officiating. Cremation will follow. Inurnment will be held at a later date at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery near Scottsbluff. Visitation will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, October 24, 2024, at Reverence. Memorials may be made in care of the family. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting Reyes' obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Reyes was born at St. Mary's Hospital in Scottsbluff on January 6, 1953, to Pedro and Florentina (Castillo) Cano. She was raised in Morrill, Nebraska where she attended Morrill High School.

Reyes met Samuel O. Cardona while working at the Howard McLean Potato Factory in Scottsbluff. They were wed on July 10, 1976, in Omaha, Nebraska. The couple later returned to Scottsbluff and together they welcomed their three children.

Reyes took great care of her family and continued caregiving duties during her employment as a nurse at Regional West Medical Center in the ICU department. She went on to work at Gary's Cleaning before her retirement. Reyes was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

Her hobbies and interests included cooking, baking, sewing, and gardening. Listening to music and dancing would light up her day. She collected unicorns, rocks, and angel figurines. Reyes enjoyed cleaning and keeping a tidy house and in doing so, creating a welcoming space for family and friends to visit. Family get-togethers and hosting friends were times that made her happiest. She also liked getting outdoors and making memories at the lake. 

Many words could be used to describe the amazing woman that Reyes was, including strong-willed, blunt, and hard-working. These bold qualities didn't take away from her softer side that made her creative, loving, and caring. Her deep faith and spirituality were the root of her character. 

Survivors include her husband, Samuel O. Cardona Sr. of Scottsbluff; children, Jennifer (Harley) Cardona-Smith of Scottsbluff, Samuel (Cecelia) Cardona Jr. of Scottsbluff, and Dehlia (Jesus Galindo-Salinas) Cardona of Scottsbluff; eleven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; siblings, Fidela Armendariz, Mary Lovato, Grace Villarreal, Israel Cano, Simon Cano, Roman Cano, and Seferina VanPelt; along with other extended family members and friends. 

She was preceded in death by parents, Pedro and Florentina Cano; sister, Gloria Castillo; and nephews, Richard Lovato and Anthony Castillo.