Reymundo Alaniz

Reymundo "Rey" Alaniz, 90, of Winnebago, NE, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2025, at Wakefield Health Care Center in Wakefield, NE. A memorial celebration will be held during the 160th Annual Winnebago Homecoming Celebration in Winnebago, NE, in July 2026. Burial will be in the James Rave Cemetery in Winnebago, NE. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home.

Rey was born on September 12, 1934, in Rio Grande City, TX to Maximo and Maria (Garza) Alaniz. He graduated from McAllen High School in McAllen, TX and attended St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX. His education was interrupted by a draft notice from the US Army. He was stationed at Fort Myer and served with the Old Guard in Arlington, VA, from 1956-1958.

He met Velma Rose Thomas at the Service Club on base. They married on August 5, 1958, in Washington, DC. They were married for 67 years. Together they had three sons and three daughters. On November 3, 1958, Rey began his career in real estate management at William J. Davis. By 1965 Rey and family moved to Silver Spring, MD where they lived for 45 years. In 1973, Rey began working for Peerless Properties and in 1983 VelRey Properties a family business was created. Rey retired in 1987.

Rey enjoyed estate sales, crossword puzzles, coin collecting and playing the lottery.

He is survived by his sons, Danee (Kim) Alaniz, Ira (Susan) Alaniz; daughters, Anna (Jack) Adams, Kecia (Laurence) Mapp, and VelRey (John) Lozano; 15 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and numerous relatives here and abroad.

Rey was preceded in death by his parents; son, Max Alaniz; his siblings, Servando Alaniz, Socorro Lopez, and Chelo de la Cerda.

The family would like to thank Rey’s VA nurse, Jay, who referred to Rey as “quite a character” who “did it his way.” The 6 SE staff at MercyOne and Wakefield Health Care who took excellent care of Rey until he passed.