Juanita F Hiironen

Juanita Florence (Glazener) Hiironen, age 98, of Sugar Land, Texas, died March 18, 2017 in Chickasha, Oklahoma. The daughter of Otis Bly and Sarah (Pettersen) Glazener, she was born March 12, 1919 in South Houston, Texas. Juanita attended and graduated from Pasadena High School in 1936.

In 1944, she married George David Hiironen in Rosenberg, after her sister, Dorothy, had set them up on a blind date. He was in the Army Air Corps and handled communications at Ellington Field. She connected the calls as an operator for the phone company to his tower, however, the two had never officially met.

The two enjoyed the beach, dancing (lots of dancing), spending time with each other, and family. In 1946, Mary Ellen was born followed by Sally Paulette 8 years later. The family loved night fishing, camping and exploring around the gulf area. George and Juanita also encouraged their daughters in music and dance. Together they opened Channel Appliance Service off Allen-Genoa Road in Pasadena, where they worked side-by-side until his passing in August of 1977.

She was most proud her family attended church together. She was also a very active volunteer at church and within the community, including Red Cross, Girl Scouts, manning the polls and participating in various Republican groups. Juanita loved to travel with her various friends and taking day trips.

After George’s passing her focus turned to her children and their growing families. In addition to spending time with her grandchildren, she also helped care for her brother, Nolan and her sister Faye until their passing. She loved being an aunt to all her nieces and nephews and loved being a part of their families. Juanita later cared for both her mother and an aunt. She was an excellent caretaker, baker and seamstress.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George; her brother, Nolan and sisters, Vera and Faye; and one grandson, Jeremy Tuggle.

She is survived by her daughters, Mary Ellen Sims and husband, Jim, of Blanchard, Oklahoma and Paulette Tuggle and husband, Steve, of Boquete, Panama; granddaughter, Kimberly Kohler and husband, Heath, and their son, Kolton Kohler, of Blanchard, Oklahoma; grandson, Jason Tuggle, of Manvel, Texas; great-granddaughter, Haley Tuggle, of League City, Texas; sister, Dorothy Raines and husband, Jesse, of Austin, Texas; brother-in-law, Jimmy and wife, Sandy, of Saint Augustine, Florida. In addition, she is survived by many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Brookdale Assisted Living Centers and Lifeline for helping to care for Juanita during the past few years and for her special friend and caregiver Sheila Price.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 24th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Forest Park East Funeral Home, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, Texas 77598. A Celebration of Life will be held March 25th at 10 a.m. at Forest Park East Funeral Home with Mike Naron officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery.