Juanita M Richards

Juanita Richards, age 97, passed away peacefully at home on April 25, 2021. She was born December 5, 1923 to Elmer (Dick) and Minnie (Smith) Knapp in Red Oak, IA. Juanita spent her youngers years living in Red Oak, Iowa before moving to Omaha, Nebraska where she attended Omaha Central High School. There she participated in the school gun club as a sharpshooter. After high school she returned to Red Oak and met the love of her life, Roy. They married on November 15th, 1941 in Rockport, Missouri. After Roy returned from World War II, they lived in small towns around the Council Bluffs area before settling in Council Bluffs in the 1950's.

After Roy's death, Juanita moved to 9th and F where she lived more than 50 years until her passing. There she took care of her cousin Kenneth Miller, a disabled vet, for over 40 years. Juanita was a life member of the VFW Post 737 Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States in Council Bluffs. She loved taking care of elderly members of her neighborhood, singing, gardening, going to the casino, fishing, traveling to Missouri, cooking and spending time with her kids, grandkids, great grandkids, great great grandkids and extended family and friends.

Juanita is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roy Richards Sr.; son, Harold Richards; grandson, Joe Richards; daughter-in-laws, Linda and Libby; great grandson, Jason Richards; great-great granddaughter, Sarah Rose; cousin, Kenneth Miller; sisters, Dorothy, Doris, Marjorie, Betty, Mary Lou and Patricia; brothers, Ralph, Teddy, Richard and LeRoy.

She is survived by her sons, Bernard, David (Sharon), Dale (Debbie), Roy Jr. (Connie), Danny (Lisa) and Randy (Debbie); two daughters, Elizabeth Morrison and Collette (Gary) Chambers; 31 grandchildren; 78 great grandchildren; 25 great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 28, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home.
Funeral Service will be Thursday, April 29 10:00 a.m. at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home.
Interment held at Evergreen Cemetery in Red Oak, IA following services.
Memorials may be directed to Boys Town Village.