Florentino Palomo Sr. Obituary

It is with heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved, Florentino Palomo Sr., whose generous heart touched countless lives before coming to rest on October 20, 2025. His Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1345 18th Street, Gering, Nebraska, with Fr. Todd Philipsen as Celebrant. Burial will follow at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering. Visitation will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 6:30 p.m., on Friday, October 24, at Reverence Funeral Parlor, 2002 Char Ave., Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The Mass will be livestreamed and recorded on Florentino’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Florentino was born on June 20, 1945, in Alamo, Texas, to Catarino and Sista (De La Rosa) Palomo. Florentino spent his early years as a migrant worker and later as a semi-truck driver, paths that led him to meet the love of his life, Guadalupe Treviño. They were married in Floydada, Texas, in 1962 and soon began their journey together, traveling along the West Coast before establishing their roots in Gering in 1968.

Florentino spent many summers working irrigation for Monty and Steve Reisig, Gifford Hill, and Conrad Kehn. He drove semi-truck for Gene Brunner, Manuel Fuentes, Richard Lopez, and Daniel Lujan Sr. With intelligence, determination, and ambition, he became a self-taught mechanic, mastering the repair of semi-trucks, vehicles, and even lawn mowers. A true jack of all trades and a master of some – he often said, “I can fix anything and everything…except a broken heart!”.

When his trucking days came to an end, Florentino found his true calling as an abuelito. He never shied away from caring for or helping all of his 34 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren, each of whom he blessed with their own special nicknames, chosen with love and humor. Nothing brought him more joy than welcoming the newest babies into the family. He built a large, close-knit family, seen through four generations of Florentinos! His home was always full – not just during the holidays, but for Sunday dinners and cookouts. Whether you were family or a friend, you could enjoy a hot meal and a seat at his table! Known as the family’s undisputed salsa maker, he took great pride in his summer gardens and the bountiful harvest they provided.

Florentino’s generosity, strength, and compassion have left a legacy that will live on through the generations to come. A piece of his spirit remains in each of our hearts, carried forward with everlasting love.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Guadalupe Palomo; his children, Lupita (Michael) Martinez, Florentino Jr., Cindia Alvarado, Joseph, Donato, Humberto, Johnny, and Roel Palomo, and Jackie (Gabriel) Gurrola; his cherished fur baby, Blanca; and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Catarino and Sista Palomo; brothers, Aventura, Mario, and Arturo Palomo; daughter, Norma Palomo; grandson, Zachariah Palomo; great-grandson, Dominic Camacho; daughter-in-law, Maria Zavala; son-in-law, Michael Alvarado; nieces, Berta Palomo and Marie Escamilla; nephew, Frank E. Billie Sr.; and fur baby, Oso.