Juanita Lee (Lazenby) Strait Obituary (1939

Juanita Lee Lazenby Strait, 78, of rural Keosauqua, Iowa went to meet her Lord and Savior on Thursday, August 3, 2017 after a brief illness of pancreatic cancer. She was born on February 21, 1939 in Keosauqua to David Burns and Ada Zeitler Lazenby at the Duckworth House. She graduated from Keosauqua High School with the class of 1956. On July 29, 1956 she was joined in marriage to Stanley Strait. Their union resulted in five daughters; Davena (Tom) McKim of Gibbs, Missouri, Debra Strait-Clarahan (Dan) of Harper, Iowa, Dawn Strait-Carstensen (Jim) of Bellevue, Iowa, DiAnna Strait Allen of Cantril, Iowa, Dena Strait (Rick Lanctot) of Anchorage, Alaska; grandchildren, Kaleb Lanctot, Isabel Allen, Maggie Carstensen, Ethan Carstensen, Angela McKim, Abby McKim (Charles) Newland, Stefanie McKim (Terry) Davidson, Sarah Clarahan, Matthew (Brianna) Clarahan; great-grandchildren, Brenna Davidson, Macy Davidson, Tate Clarahan, Brooks Clarahan; sister, Mary Ann (Larry) Copeland of Libertyville, Iowa; nephew, Doug (Angie) Copeland and family; Niece, Alysia (Daniel) Fullerton and daughters; step-grandsons, Tim Clarahan, Todd Clarahan and families all of Harper, Iowa. Juanita was baptized for the remission of her sins in 1957. She was a cradle roll member of the Keosauqua Christian Church and had been attending the Zion Bible Church in Douds. Juanita taught Sunday School, Bible School, and youth group activities. She was a lifeguard and taught Red Cross swimming lessons at Lacey Keosauqua State Park. She managed the Red Cross swimming lesson program for over 30 years. She was a 4-H club leader and was small animal superintendent during the Van Buren County Fair. In 1995, Juanita was honored with the "Citizen of the Year" award. Juanita drove a school bus from 1983-2013. She served on the Center Village Board, Historical Society, REC of Bloomfield, Township Trustee, Van Buren County Pork Producers, and Friends of Lacey. She also volunteered at the Van Buren County Welcome Center and hosted tours of the Pearson House Museum. Juanita was a member of Leech Lassies, Irish Bend Club, and the Red Hats. In the little free time she had, Juanita enjoyed reading, sharing and preserving history, spending time with her family, feeding her birds, and traveling with the bank tours. Juanita was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 7, 2017 at the Pedrick Funeral Home in Keosauqua with Pastor Phil Ross officiating. Burial will be at the Pittsburg Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday with the family present to greet friends from 5-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to the Friends of Lacey Keosauqua State Park, HCI Hospice of Mt. Pleasant, Pittsburg Cemetery and Pearson House.