Quino Rivera

JoseQuino “Quino” Rivera, 71, passed away on April 25, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born on February 27, 1955, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Jesse and Jessie Belle Rivera. A lifelong resident of the Southside of Des Moines, Quino proudly called it “God’s country,” a place he never left.

At age 25, Quino joined Iron Workers Local 67 in 1979 and proudly dedicated the next 30 years to his trade before retiring in 2009. During retirement, he took pride in mowing and helping his neighbors in the community where he lived.

Quino was a man who lived life on his own terms. He was hardworking, persistent, and stubborn, but that same stubbornness made him dependable, loyal, and someone you could always count on. He had a generous heart and would give you his last dollar or the shirt off his back, all while staying true to who he was.

Quino had many lifelong friends, and many he referred to as good friends. He also had a lifelong passion for collecting model ships, building a fleet over the years that became a point of his pride. But above all else, Quino was a family man. He would fiercely protect his family and loved them unconditionally. He was a proud dad, an even prouder grandpa, and a devoted son, brother, uncle, and cousin.

Quino is preceded in death by his father, Jesse Rivera, and his brother, Ricky Rivera. He is survived by his mother, Jessie Belle Rivera; his brothers, Jimmy (Linda) Rivera and Randy (Jeannie) Rivera; his sister, RuthAnn (Cal) Morton; his daughters, Sondra (Antonio) Romeo and Shannon (Tim) McDonald; his grandchildren, Nic (Kassy) Romeo, Kayla Romeo, Jayden Ingraham, Bella Romeo, Carolina McDonald, Claudia McDonald, Mary McDonald, Lola McDonald, Bianca McDonald, and Bernadette McDonald; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 3300 Easton Blvd. A Celebration of Quino’s life will follow on Friday, May 15, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the American Legion Hispanic Post 731, 1511 S. Union where family and friends are invited to gather, share stories, and honor a man who meant so much to so many.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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