David I. Cañas of Cozad passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at Cozad Community Hospital at the age of 86. He was born on October 7, 1937 to Jose and Eremene (Lopez) Cañas in Big Spring, Texas. He was the youngest of 5 children and weighed 3 lbs at birth. While growing up in Texas, he was known as Chay, a name that followed him his whole life. His family traveled back and forth from Texas to Nebraska as migrant farm workers. It was at one of these job locations, the Cañas and Reyes families met. David and Amalia Reyes married on June 10, 1961 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington, NE. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary before Amalia passed on December 17, 2016.
David was a devout member of Christ the King Catholic Church. He served as a CCD teacher, Eucharistic minister, parish council member and was involved in Cursillo and Legion of Mary. He would set up the hall for Bingo on Thursdays after work and was a 4th degree Knights of Columbus member. He was involved in various fundraisers for the church, including selling Mexican food at Hay Days that raised thousands of dollars for the church.
He enjoyed softball and bowling. In 1995, he bowled a 290. For several years, he organized teams for the Mexican American bowling tournament in Omaha and Knights of Columbus bowling tournaments. Later in life, after the bowling alley in Cozad closed, he traveled to Kearney and bowled in a league with other retirees. He had a fondness for chocolate covered peanuts, Fritos, spending countless hours in the shed tinkering, and sitting at the kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee while reflecting on life with his loved ones. He was very proud of his family and enjoyed going to all his granddaughters’ activities near and far.
David worked at Tenneco for several years and retired in 2002. He deeply valued the connections he made with coworkers that turned into lifelong friends.
He is survived by 3 daughters and 1 son: Estella Beenblossom (Rex Crisman) of Gothenburg, Raquel (Doug) Crick of Cozad, Arturo Cañas of Cozad, Carmela “Coco” Cañas of Cozad. Five granddaughters: Adrienne (Ryan) Rahmann of Kearney; Alexa Cañas of Hastings, Christian Alanna Cañas of Cozad; Samantha Crick of Cozad; Allie Cañas of Kearney and grandson Austin Cañas of Gothenburg. Three great granddaughters: Maya, Kyndall and Quinn Rahmann of Kearney. Sister-in-law, Emily (Tom) Hernandez of Kearney; Brothers-in-law Antonio (Ben) Reyes of Kearney and Gilbert Reyes of Minnesota and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by special friend Valente of Mickie's restaurant and childhood friend Joe Herrera of Corpus Christi, TX.
David was preceded in death by his wife, parents, infant son Clemente, brothers Jose Cañas, Ismael Cañas, and sisters Esther Lopez and Rebecca Guerra.
Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Mass of the Christian Burial will be held Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church with Father Ravi Gudipalli as celebrant. Burial will follow at Buffalo Grove Presbyterian Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be Friday, December 29, 2023 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church with rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Berryman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.