Rene R. Alonzo

Services will be live streamed from Hope Chapel at 11:00am on August 31st.

Rene R. Alonzo, age 90, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born on July 11, 1934, in Topeka, KS to Tomas and Jacinta Alonzo Zendejas and grew up with siblings, Rosendo, Rudy, Florence, Teresa, Helen, Diana, Ruben, and Raul. Rene was the “baby” of the family. He graduated from Topeka High and upon graduation, he joined the Air Force from 1954-1958 in Colorado Springs, CO. Rene then attended Washburn University receiving his BA in Spanish and English. He later received his master’s degree at Emporia State University. He then met and married his beloved wife, Alice in 1962, married on August 17,1963, and spent 38 wonderful years together until her untimely death on Aug.7, 1998.

Rene began his teaching career at Glasco, KS and the surrounding small towns of Delphos and Miltonvale, KS teaching Spanish and English at their high schools for 12 years beginning in 1962. He then taught in El Dorado, KS, for the remaining 28 years of his tenure teaching Spanish at El Dorado Junior High until his retirement on May 24, 2002. He then moved to Olathe and lived the remainder of his years with his daughter and son-in-law Renee and Carl and grandson Alex. For 18 years he helped with his daughter’s home daycare where he affectionally became known as “Nee’s Daddy”.

Rene will be remembered for being one of the best armchair sports fans anyone knew. He was extremely knowledgeable at many sports, past or present. An avid Notre Dame, K-State, Chiefs and Bears fan for sure but his favorite athlete to watch was his grandson, Alex play hockey. He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, generosity and kindness to others and being the best Daddy and Grandpa, one could ever ask for. He loved life and was a fighter to the end which he exemplified towards his later years battling multiple myeloma.

Rene is survived by his daughter, Renee (Carl) Gales of Olathe, KS, grandson, Alex (Karsyn) Blow of Olathe, KS, his sisters Helen Acevedo Alonzo of Shorewood, Ill, and Diana Tostado Alonzo of Oceanside, CA and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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