Juanita Lucille Copenhaver (Kuhn)

Juanita L. Copenhaver, 89, of Independence, MO passed away February 6, 2020. A visitation will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11, at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 12, at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, 6415 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO. Burial will follow at Mt. Washington Cemetery. Juanita was born March 14, 1930 in Marshall, MO to Ralph Floyd and Mary Emma (Calvert) Kuhn. After her mother’s unexpected death in 1933 she was raised by her paternal aunt, Mrs. Marie Englis and the catholic community. She left Marshall for nurses training in Kansas City in 1948 and married Robert (Bob) Copenhaver in 1950. Together they had four children, Pat, Mike, Steve, and Bob. They settled and raised their family in Independence, Missouri. Juanita volunteered at her children’s school and worked at Lake City, Western Electric, and eventually at Osco Drug for more than twenty years. Bob and Juanita were married for forty wonderful years before his passing in 1990. She was a life long Catholic and a devoted and humble servant of the Lord. She was an active member of St. Joseph the Worker in Independence and later in her life St. Andrew the Apostle in Gladstone. She will be remembered for many things by those closest to her but especially for her sense of humor, her oversized accessories, her vibrant personality, her strength of character, her love of Coca Cola, her deeply rooted faith, and her unwavering love and devotion to her family and pets. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Leon Copenhaver; two sons, Steven Copenhaver and Michael Copenhaver; and three brothers, Ralph Jr., Robert and Leroy Kuhn. Juanita is survived by her two children, Patricia Jackson (Jerry) and Bob Copenhaver (Michael); six grandchildren, Aimee Kelly, Emily Mackie, Valerie Bujak, Steve Copenhaver, Audrey Nixon and David Copenhaver; as well as thirteen great grandchildren. Online condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)