Juanita Conlan

Juanita Conlan, 98, of Brenham, Texas, passed away on June 19, 2010. She was at her home at Argent Court Assisted Living Facility in Brenham, surrounded by her loving caregivers; having spent the last days of her life with her loving family and friends.

Juanita was born to Joseph Picone and Juanita Blanchard in Houma, Louisiana on November 20, 1911. Her family moved to New Mexico for two years, then settled in Sugar Land where she attended school, graduating from Sugar Land High School.

Shortly after marrying Herbert Buntzel they moved to Brenham, where Herbert had an auto repair shop. Shortly thereafter, their only child, Herbert, Jr., was born. Juanita later worked for and became manager of Montgomery Ward Catalog Store and Appliance Center, her employer for the next thirty-three years. Her husband, Herbert, died May 25, 1973.

After retiring, Juanita joined “Loners on Wheels” an R.V. Group of single widowers and widows, traveling all over the United States, Mexico and Canada. It was during one of her travels that she met, and later married Jim Conlan of California, the father of her six devoted stepchildren. They made their home in Rio Grande Valley, later moving to Sacramento, California. Jim died in 1996, and about eight years later, Juanita moved back to Sugar Land, and later to Brenham, and the comfortable and caring surroundings of Argent Court, where she enjoyed card playing, music and friends.

She was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. She was a charter member of Brenham Pilot Club and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Brenham Fire Department.

Juanita was preceded in death by her husbands, parents, Joe Picone and Juanita Blanchard and her beloved son, Herbert Buntzel, Jr., who died in December 2009.

She leaves a brother, James Picone, of Orlando, Florida; a sister-in-law, Beatrice Picone, of Brenham; grandchildren, Gayle Daniels, Karen Bradshaw and Mark Buntzel; stepchildren James, Michael, Terry, Colleen and Patricia (Conlans); and her beloved son’s wife, Wanda Buntzel, Juanita’s devoted daughter-in-law, who was her constant, tender and loving caregiver since moving back to Texas, and especially during the last several years of her life. She also leaves many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

A memorial service is set for 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at Brenham Memorial Chapel.

Juanita requested that in lieu of flowers, any donations be sent to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 937, Brenham, TX 77834-0937 or Brenham Hospice, 302 East Blue Bell Rd., Brenham, TX 77833.

Arrangements and services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX. 979.836.3611 www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com