Juanita June Smead

Juanita June Smead, age 95, of Albia, passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2019, at Vista Woods Care Center in Ottumwa, IA, surrounded by her loved ones, under the care of Hospice serving Davis and Wapello Counties. Juanita was born on June 6, 1924, in Albia to Archibald “Curly” and Alice Cook. She grew up and attended school in Albia. Juanita worked at Behnke Famous Fryers for 25 years. On June 13, 1943, she married Roy Smead Sr. in Unionville, MO. To this union, 3 children were born, Karen, Roy Jr., and Dan. Juanita and Roy shared 38 years of marriage prior to his passing on December 5, 1981. Juanita enjoyed being outdoors, taking walks all around town, and flower gardening, especially her petunias that were given to her by her son, Roy. She enjoyed doing word searches and crossword puzzles and always had a jigsaw puzzle in progress. She loved to bake and was known for her no bake and chocolate chip cookies, her banana and chocolate cream pies, as well as her apple salad at Thanksgiving and Christmas time. She baked bread on a regular basis and also pan fried bread for cinnamon toast. She enjoyed watching her soap operas, All My Children and General Hospital and reading novels and her Bible. Above all, Juanita enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Juanita is survived by 2 children, Karen Dicks and Dan (Linda) Smead; 5 grandchildren, Ashley Vanderkrol, Adam Dicks, Mandy (Nick) Rudolph, Abby (Matt) Gauley, and William Smead; 7 great grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; and a daughter-in-law, Ginny Henderson-Smead. Juanita is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Smead Sr.; a son, Roy Smead Jr.; her parents, Curly and Alice Cook; 3 sisters, Ruth Nichols, Grace Ballard, and Alice Stewart; and 2 brothers, Harry and Wiley Fry. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Juanita’s family present from 5:00-7:00 p.m. to greet family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2019, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Lynda Carlson officiating. Burial will follow services in Oak View Cemetery in Albia. A memorial has been established to the Welcome Home Soldier Memorial in Albia.

Juanita June Smead

June 6, 1924 - October 27, 2019