Juanita Mae Uland

Juanita is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Rhonda (Jimmie) Crowe and Amy (Max) DeLaGarza, all of Bloomington; and her grandchildren, Tory Crowe of Bloomington, James Uland of Solsberry, Sarah Uland of Mitchell, Christian DeLaGarza of Garland, TX, and Olivia DeLaGarza, of Carmel. She is also survived by her sister, Betty Laughlin, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert “Bob” Uland; son, Robert Michael “Mike” Uland; siblings (birth and by marriage) Mona (Paul) Reed, John Laughlin, Leona (Bill) Mann; and nephews Steve, John, and Jeff Reed, Jay Laughlin, and Brett Mann. She was also preceded in death by her beloved father and mother-in-law, Emil “Red” and Freeda Uland, who loved her as their own daughter.

Juanita graduated from Solsberry High School in 1952 and married Bob in 1953. They lived in Texas and Virginia while Bob served in the Army. Juanita described those carefree newlywed years as some of the happiest of her life. They returned home following Bob’s discharge from the Army in 1955 and started their family. It was as a mother that Juanita truly found her calling and purpose. All who knew her knew that her children, and later grandchildren, were the center of her life. She often said that if her children were happy, she was happy.

She was employed at RCA in Bloomington, then Westinghouse/ABB, where she retired in 1991 after 31 years of service. Never one to sit still, Juanita worked at Meadowwood Senior Living Community as a receptionist, where she loved visiting with the residents and hearing the stories of their adventures. Following Bob’s death in 1999 from melanoma, Juanita gave back by volunteering with Hospice. She was an active member of Liberty Church of Christ in Hendricksville, where she faithfully attended services and shared her wealth of insights at weekly women’s Bible studies.

Later, she served as nanny for the Zwanziger family (Joe, Ulli, Clara and Bernd). They adopted “Juani” as their American family and asked her to be Bernd’s godmother. When their careers took them to Nova Scotia, the Zwanzigers became Juani’s “Canadian Family,” often traveling to visit each other.

The family thanks the caregivers and nurses from Southern Care Hospice who provided wonderful care. A private ceremony was held for immediate family, followed by interment at Solsberry Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Southern Care Hospice, 1923 S. Liberty Drive, Bloomington, 47403, or WildCare Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, 198 N. Hartstrait Road, Bloomington, 47404.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.DeremiahFryeMortuary.com