Juanita Graham
Juanita Graham

Obituary of Juanita Graham

Juanita Marion Graham was the eldest daughter of Christian (Chris) and Olga Wade Kolling. She was raised on a farm, living in rural western Minnesota near Chokio and Morris until her retirement. She had a sister, Bernice Sanasack of Graceville, MN, and a brother, Clayton Kolling of Chokio and Brownsville, TX.   Born August 7, 1918, she enjoyed good health, passing away suddenly and unexpectedly on November 12, 2013.   Juanita and Jim met as school kids at the one-room school southwest of Chokio near the Stevens/Big Stone county line. Though the repository of all family history, which will be sorely missed, Mom was hard pressed to identify a time when she didn't know Dad. They married on March 1, 1944. She was a homemaker in the early years and ever at Dad's side helping with the farm chores including the dairy component which they had until the late 50's. After the children began school, she embarked on a career as a bakery clerk and cake decorator, first at Bob's Bakery and later at the SuperValu bakery, both in Morris. In that capacity she made many friends and acquaintances which brought her great pleasure the rest of her life.    Retiring in 1982, Jim and Juanita moved to Boise, Idaho, to be near their family. Deeply committed to her children and grandchildren, they rarely missed a family get-together or outing. Mom was always eager to help and was a welcome sight when there was work to do. She delighted in a festive table with accompanying fare.  Be it a painting project, gardening/canning, or making the gravy and dressing for the holiday meal, she was front and center. And then there was the clean-up. Even in her later years, after she'd lost a step, she couldn't be uprooted from the center position over the kitchen sink, water running and dishes flying.   These years brought continued involvement in church and she added volunteerism to her routine. She was active in the Chokio Methodist Church, Alberta (MN), Boise and Eagle (ID) Church of the Nazarene and Boise and Meridian Senior Centers. Her volunteer work was largely in the kitchen, of course, but also included quilting at the Senior Center and regular work with a group that assisted with community mailings, etc. In 2011 the Meridian Senior Center recognized her for twenty years of faithful service.   In July 2011, they moved to Salmon Creek Retirement Living, 4890 N. Cloverdale Rd., #309, Boise, Idaho 83713. "Most" of her work done, she settled into enjoying the company of friends, new and old, and the comforts of this fine facility.   Juanita is survived by her husband, James H. (Jim), daughter Jan Fink of Homedale, ID, Loren Graham of Star, ID and Laird (Vicki) Graham of Meridian, ID. Also surviving, granddaughter Amy LaJocies (Mike) Drew and Ashley, grandson, Chris Graham (Sarah) Hunter, Colton and Adalyn, granddaughters Alison Graham and Amanda Gingerich (Jeff) and Cash, and brother-in-law, Robert (Bob) Sanasack of Graceville, MN.   Preceding her in death are her parents, sister and brother, sister-in-law, Muriel Kolling, daughter-in-law, Nancy Graham, and son-in-law, Paul Fink.   A memorial service will be held at Summers Funeral Home, Ustick Chapel, 3629 E Ustick Rd., Meridian, Idaho, on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at 3:00 PM.   Memorials may be sent to Eagle Church of the Nazarene, 1001 W State St., Eagle, ID 83616, Meridian Senior Center, P.O. Box 606, Meridian, Idaho 83680 or a charity of your choice.
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