Juanita Buchholz, 86, McKinney, Texas, formerly of Peculiar, MO, died Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at her home peacefully in her sleep, with her daughter at her side. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at the Atkinson Chapel in Harrisonville, MO with visitation from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at the chapel. Burial will be in Wills Cemetery, Peculiar, MO. Memorial contributions may be the family memorial fund or in Juanita's name for the McKinney Office of Hospice Compassus, 9535 Forest Lane Suite 211, Dallas, TX 75243.

Juanita was born June 5, 1922 in Stidham, OK the daughter of Andrew J. and Dora Minnie (McMillan) Combs. She moved to Kansas City, MO with her family in the 1930s. She graduated from Southeast High School. Juanita met Arnold Buchholz while they were working at Lake City in 1942, and they were married May 10, 1942. They lived in Kansas City, MO until they bought a farm in Peculiar in 1948.

Juanita worked in a sewing factory in Belton for several years before they adopted their daughter, Kristy, in 1953. Juanita was a homemaker and the business manager for the family farm. In 1965 Juanita went to work at the new Raymore-Peculiar High School as a school secretary. She worked there for 15 years until she retired.

Juanita was a member of the United Methodist Church of Peculiar. She volunteered at the church Thrift Shop in Peculiar and was a member of the Peculiar Senior Citizens and Methodist Women's Group.

Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Arnold on March 27, 2004, one infant sister and three brothers, Chick, Richard and J.B. She is survived by her brother, William; her daughter, Kristy and spousal unit, Ron; her granddaughter, Wendy; two great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends and her loyal kitty companion, Dizzy.