Juanita Bear was born January 24, 1950 passing away on January 26, 2018 in Seymour Health Care Facility in Seymour, Missouri.

Juanita was born in Elbowoods, North Dakota. She was born on a stormy blizzard night in a one room log cabin with no running water or electricity. Being a precursor to a difficult life ahead.

Losing her mother on January 7, 1967, in which was an entire loss, in all our lives. Basically, raising ourselves. Good news, she is with her now.

Juanita was the fourth child of seven. Juanita was a strong intelligent woman. She was an avid reader and most likely read all the books from libraries from the West coast to the Mid-West even borrowing books from the libraries. She also was a writer. Juanita had a strong imagination from the choice of certain books that she read and used these books to project her own theories about people.

Juanita was a great mother, and an excellent cook. She could make a complete meal with the barest of items in the cupboard. Juanita was a difficult person to figure out due to her intelligent strength.

Juanita adored music, “der-bingle” Bing Crosby, the Jewish group Lamb and the song; “Putting on The Ritz, come dance with me”. She loved languages. She was an entirely audacious-humorous person. She was a finicky person; in which is probably the reason she remained single all her life, after her children were born.

Juanita went to college, close to earning her degree. We were at odds, due to those imaginations, although nobody could take that unshakeable love and bond we had as sisters. So you see, love always wins. We were able to regain that strength as sisters again.

Juanita traveled to Peru, Disney World in Florida, with her cherished grandson Isaiah, who is part of the Ancient Inca Tribe of Peru and the MHA Nation of North Dakota. He was born after twenty years of marriage to her daughter Darcy and Raul, he was a miracle.

She helped raise her two granddaughters, Korena Whittenbrook-Ward served as a Marine, a second year psychology student of University of Nebraska, and her granddaughter Cherish. Her children Darcy and Bill were her life. She lost her son Bill and this was a tremendous loss. I reached out to her, knowing it would take all the emotional strength to get through this. She did. Juanita had a strong-quiet faith in the Lord. Early on she was a house keeper to several Jewish families that treated her as more than a person.

Juanita is survived by a daughter, Darcy (Raul) Wittenbrook-Almerco of South Sioux City, Nebraska, (deceased) Bill Whittenbrook of South Sioux City, Nebraska, Korena (James) Ward of Michigan, Cherish Wittenbrook of South Sioux City, Nebraska. She was preceded by her mother, Amelia Bear (deceased), her father, Philip Bear, WYO (deceased). Brother, Terry Bear (deceased), bother, Gerald-Janice Mitchell of Bishop, California (deceased), brother, James (Barbara) of Parshall, North Dakota, brother Dewey (Roberta) Bear of Parshall, North Dakota, (deceased) brother-in-law Richard (Clarinda) Menzie-sister, of Lower Brule, South Dakota, sister, Josita (Curtis) Odle of Missouri, half brother (deceased) Ivan Bear, WYO cousin, Ramona Foolishbear Parshall, North Dakota, grandson, Isaiah Almerco of South Sioux City, Nebraska, numerous nieces-nephews, Kim Thompson Bishop, Tammy, Tommy, Tanya Mitchell of Bisbee, California, Winona Bear of Bismarck, North Dakota, Rhonda Bear Sisseton, South Dakota (deceased) Heather Bear, Willie Bear MT and two great grandchildren and great nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.

A visitation will be held from 10:30 am until 11:00 am Saturday, February 3, 2018 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 1405 1st Avenue, S. Sioux City, Nebraska 68776.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am at St. Michael's Catholic Church following the visitation with Father Mike Keating celebrant.

Burial will follow at Dakota City Public Cemetery in Dakota City, Nebraska.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Dementia/Alzheimer’s Association.

Permanent online condolences, photos and stories may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.