JUANITA JUNE TEMPLETON
Juanita June (Crawford) Templeton died on April 7, 2025, at age 94 at Grace Pointe Memory Care in Greeley, Colorado of congestive heart failure. She was born on December 13, 1930, in Ottawa, Kansas, to B.W. and Helen (Lindsay) Crawford and joined her older sister, Mary Anne.
When she was four the family moved to Rocky Ford, Colorado. She attended schools there, graduating from high school in 1949. During her freshman year, she met fellow classmate Allan C. Templeton and they began dating. In 1954 they married at the First Presbyterian Church of Rocky Ford and then moved to Denver while Allan attended the University of Denver. Juanita was employed as a secretary for the business school and a law firm in Denver.
Following Allan's graduation, they returned to Rocky Ford so Allan could join his father in business. Their son Don was born in 1955, son Terry in 1956, and daughter Karen in 1963. Juanita was a homemaker while her children were young. In 1973 she joined Allan at Templeton-Bush, becoming the bookkeeper and secretary until they sold the business in 1980.
She was a long-time member of the Community Presbyterian Church of Rocky Ford serving on Session, pastor nominating committees, and membership in United Presbyterian Women.
She was a "Golden Girl" fifty-year plus member of P.E.O., most recently of Chapter FZ in Greeley, and the Beta Sigma Phi organization. She enjoyed crafts, embroidery, cross-stitching, playing bridge, gardening, and fly fishing. Additionally, she enjoyed traveling both with travel clubs and with her special "girls' group."
In her later years, Juanita's greatest joy came from spending time with her daughter, son-in-law Ken, and beloved grandchildren Katie and Kelly. She loved attending their activities, keeping them overnight, and joining them on vacations. In 2014 she moved to Greeley to be closer to them.
Juanita is survived by daughter Karen (Ken) Newens of Kersey, Colorado; granddaughter Kathleen Newens of Wiggins, Colorado, grandson Kelly Newens of Ft. Morgan, Colorado, daughter-in-law Linda Templeton of Rocky Ford, Colorado, and niece Linda (Guillermo) Palacios of Guatemala.
She was preceded in death by her parents B.W. and Helen Crawford, in-laws A.V. and Marie Templeton, husband Allan, sons Donald and Terry Templeton, and sister and brother-in-law Mary Anne (Charles) Neale.
Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held June 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the Community Presbyterian Church in Rocky Ford.
Memorials may be made to the Community Presbyterian Church, 303 S. 9th St., Rocky Ford, CO 81067 or Pathways Hospice of Greeley, 4075 W 11th St, Greeley, CO 80634.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Bellwood Ustick Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to
www.bellwoodustick.com.
Published by LA Junta Tribune from May 19 to May 29, 2025.