Rafael "Rigo R. Rigo" Gutierrez

Rafael Rodrigo "Rigo" Gutierrez, age 46, of rural Dalton, NE passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Sidney Regional Medical Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. with Rosary Services at 10:00 A.M. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Sidney, NE with Father Joseph Thambi and Father C.P. Varghese officiating. Burial will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Sidney, NE. Services will be livestreamed on the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel Facebook page and recorded for later viewing on our website.
Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Wednesday, March 5th from 1-6:00 P.M. to leave condolences for the family.
You may view Rigo's Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Rigo's care and funeral arrangements.
Rigo born on March 13, 1978, in Chihuahua, Mexico, to Alma Angelina Gutierrez and Carmen Rafael Gutierrez. From an early age, Rigo was known for his strong work ethic, deep love for his family, and generosity.
Rigo grew up alongside his younger brothers, Javier Ernesto Gutierrez Quezada and Ricardo Alonso Gutierrez Quezada. He later attended Leadville High School in Colorado, where he built lifelong friendships. It was in Colorado that he met the love of his life, Lupita, and welcomed their first child, Jennifer, in 1998. They later moved to Sidney, Nebraska, where they expanded their family with the births of Kimberly in 2003 and Rafael Aaron in 2008. Also in 2008, following the tragic loss of their mother, he welcomed his two nieces, Carla and Alexandra, into his home without hesitation, raising them as his own.
A dedicated and hardworking man, Rigo built a career in construction and was the proud owner of Rigo's Construction. His craftsmanship reached many in the community, and he took immense pride in not only building structures, but also a strong foundation for his family. He often said that everything he worked for was for his family, and his greatest pride was seeing them succeed.
Rigo had a heart of gold. Beyond his work, Rigo had a deep love for all animals and working with his hands. He often rescued stray dogs, bringing them home to his family – sometimes to the reluctance of his wife but always to the joy of his children. His dream was to own a farmhouse where all his children and grandchildren could come together, a dream he fulfilled in 2021 with the purchase of a small farm in Dalton, Nebraska. There, he surrounded himself with dogs, chickens, family photos, and his prized collections of RC cars and Harley-Davidsons. He would often stay in his shop late at night, crafting and building, always working on handmade gifts for his family. Rigo was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and son.
Rigo is survived by his loving wife, Lupita Gutierrez; his children, Carla Fernandez - Tres Falcon, Jennifer Gutierrez, Kimberly Gutierrez, and Rafael Aaron Gutierrez; his cherished grandchildren, Hayden Sittner, Manny Falcon, Catalina Falcon, and Liliana Falcon; his brother Ricardo Alonso Gutierrez Quezada and his parents, Alma Angelina Gutierrez and Carmen Rafael Gutierrez.
Rigo's presence brought warmth and joy to everyone he met, and his legacy will endure through the love he gave and the family he built. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.