It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved matriarch, Juana Davila Rivas, on August 18, 2024, at the age of 92.
Juana was born on June 19, 1932, in Nacimiento, Coahuila, Mexico, to her parents Tomasa and Francisco. She grew up with her three brothers, Clemente, Ignacio, and Ernesto, and her five sisters, Tomasa, Marina, Francisca, Rosaura, and Manuela. The family eventually settled in Sabinas, Coahuila, Mexico. As a child, Juana enjoyed helping her mother in the kitchen and fondly recalled making mud pies with her siblings.
As a young woman, she worked as a maid, where she met her future husband, Luis, who was employed as a gardener by the same family. They fell in love and married in October 1951 and started their family, having 12 children—6 boys and 6 girls. In November 1966, they moved to Texas and then ultimately settled in Ogallala, Nebraska. Ogallala became their forever home, and it was the perfect town to raise their beautiful family.
Eventually, after separating from her husband in 1977, Juana was left to raise her family all on her own. Despite the challenges of single motherhood, her strength and determination never wavered. She continued to work hard, securing a job at the Keith County Courthouse, where she worked for 20 years. Through her perseverance, she purchased a home at 500 E J Street, a place that became a cherished destination for all of her family. It will forever be part of the family, filled with the memories and love she created with her loved ones.
Known for her kindness and open heart, Juana helped raise many of her grandchildren, and her home was always open to everyone, family or not. She treated her grandchildren as if they were her own, and she cherished the summers they spent with her. She kept everyone happily fed with her freshly homemade flour tortillas and classic homemade meals—atole, eggs and beans, goulash, and Arroz con pollo. These staple dishes of hers will be greatly missed, but her cherished recipes will carry on through her family.
Juana is survived by her 15 children: Adela (Jose), Luis (Laura), San Juana, Maria Dolores-Lola (Edmundo), Julieta-Julie, Maria Elena-Nena, Rosendo-Randy, Guillermo-Memo, Gabriel (Sandy), Eugenio, Romeo (Kim), Cesar (Sarah), Genaro (Amanda), Toby (Cheri) and Diana-Nani. She leaves behind 41 grandchildren, including Lorena, Marisa (Jorge), Martin (Neva), Jeremy (Renee), Eric, Sarah, Nasencio (Alexa), Jesus, Sergio, Bianca, Lessette (Mauricio), Ezequiel, Edmundo Jr. (Ana), Ariana (Tim), Sasha(Hector), Luis (Endi), Emilio, Michael, Jasmin (Eddie), Juan, Abel, Caesare, Shandelle (Jeremy), Nicholas (Vanessa), Karissa (Andrew), Vanessa (Carlos), Nathan, (Shelia Jimenez) Mother of Emilio, Acacia, Cisco. (Donna Jayne)-Mother of Nathaniel, Chayenne. Isaiah, Gabrielle, Carlee (Micha), Mateo, Savannah (Nick), Isabella, Marine (Liz), Yracema, and Ivan (Reyna). She was also blessed with 70 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Juana was preceded in death by her husband, Luis; her parents, Tomasa and Francisco; her eight siblings; her son-in-law, Jose Cabada; and her daughter-in-law, Kim Rivas. A devout Catholic, Juana was a longtime member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ogallala, Nebraska. She was the backbone of her family, always putting them first and finding joy in seeing them together.
Though her family mourns the loss of Juana, they find comfort in knowing that she is no longer suffering. In her final days, she shared how proud she was of each and every one of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, totaling 129 descendants. Her family is eternally grateful for the strong legacy she leaves behind.
Visitation will be in The Draucker Funeral Home Chapel, Ogallala, Nebraska on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Rosary and wake service will be Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. at St. Luke’s Catholic Church.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. at the St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala with Fr. Suresh Bandha as Celebrant.
Juana will be laid to rest at the Ogallala Cemetery in Ogallala, Nebraska.
Her family closes this tribute with a message of hope and inspiration, one that Juana would undoubtedly want them to carry forward. Even in the toughest times, she always found a way to shine light and remain positive. Her resilience has taught us all that, no matter what challenges we face; our family bond will be the strength that gets us through. Let us continue the lesson she so lovingly instilled in us, knowing that her spirit will forever guide and inspire us to find the strength and courage to persevere.
Online condolences may be left at www.drauckerfh.com
Services will be live-streamed from www.drauckerfh.com
Draucker Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.