Juanita Nesselrodt Burtner

It is with melancholy that we announce the passing of local artist and floral designer, Juanita Nesselrodt Burtner, age 89, in Keezletown, VA on March 13th, 2025. Born on December 17, 1935 in Moorefield, West Virginia, her artistic talents blossomed early and continued to flourish throughout her life. As a child she attended Linville Edom Elementary and in 1953 graduated from Montevideo High School. While in high school, she painted a mural in the Industrial Arts Shop and was later recruited by a national art institute, but politely declined the offer so she could stay in the Valley. She worked briefly at McCrory's in downtown Harrisonburg then later as a clerk at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. In 1960, she married Lowell David Burtner and together they raised five children on their farm in Keezletown. Her passion for nurturing things was most evident in her beautiful flower gardens. She sold her home-grown floral arrangements at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market where she was simply known as "The Flower Lady". After attending the 3-year reading program for Bible students at Bridgewater College, she taught Sunday school at Bethel Church of the Brethren where she served as deaconess and provided flowers for the sanctuary nearly every Sunday for over 50 years. She was a member of the Valley Branch of the National League of American Pen Women and served as the head of the art department for the Rockingham County Fair. Always quick to lend a helping hand, she volunteered with numerous civic organizations, such as Weekday Religious Education, the American Red Cross, the Sunnyside Presbyterian Retirement Community, and Brethren Woods just to name a few. Juanita held her rural heritage to high glory and often worked with farming and conservation groups to pro-mote agriculture and the preservation of farmland for the next generation. She served on the Rockingham County Farm Bureau Women's Committee and was the first woman to serve on the Rockingham County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. She was also one of the founders of the Community Alliance for Preservation, a group of which would later become the Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley. Juanita is survived by four children: James Burtner, Julie Burtner Kane, Virginia Burtner Haywood, and Michael Burtner, along with five grandchildren. She is now reunited with her husband, Lowell, and eldest son, William, who preceded her in death. There will be a private graveside service for the family held at Keezletown Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Kyger Funeral home on Tuesday evening from 5:00-7:00PM. A Celebration of Life reception for the community at the Keezletown Ruritan Hall at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to a charity of your choice. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider giving flowers to a loved one, shut-in or elderly person in honor of Juanita and as a gentle reminder of the transient nature of our existence.