Juanita A. Burke, formerly of Strasburg, VA, died February 24, 2018 at Rosewood Village at Hollymead in Charlottesville at the age of 97. She was remarkable at overcoming challenges: her inner strength helped her deal with the death of her son Jack and with the loss of her husband, Donald, to whom she was married for 68 years. Her determination and humor helped her survive her own health challenges. Her warm, loving spirit lasted throughout her life. She is survived by her daughter Emily Kedzierski and her husband Ed of Marshall, and her daughter Tracy Kaminer and her husband David of Schuyler; her four grandsons, and her five great-grandchildren. Juanita was the longest surviving of the 11 children of William and Nettie Potter of Rock Island, IL. She was inspired by the strength of her mother, who became the head of the household when her husband died of illness in 1934. All of the children contributed to help the family, and Juanita and her sisters were talented singers and dancers who performed on stage and on the radio. She recalled meeting comedian Minnie Pearl during one of those radio performances. When Juanita married Don soon after high school, he was beginning an Army career, which would have him fight in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and have them live in Japan, Panama, and Germany. Don admired her not only for running the household and raising kids while he was gone, but for making a home out of 32 different residences by the time they retired to a farm on Coal Mine Road near Strasburg. There Juanita was known for a few years as the "Strawberry Lady" for their pick-your-own business. They moved once more to a home she loved on Sandy Hook, where she had an up-close view of Signal Knob. Juanita was a long-time member of the Strasburg Presbyterian Church, where she wrote and directed children's Christmas programs, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday school. She received a lifetime achievement award from the church for her service. Juanita was an untrained but gifted musician. She played the piano by ear and late in life began composing songs. She said they just came to her. She started a long-distance friendship with poet Winifred Brand. Although the two women never met, she set Brand's poems to music and enlisted students at Shenandoah University to transcribe the music that she played. Juanita was outgoing and fun, and, even as dementia took many of her words, she communicated by clowning around and calling upon some of those acting skills from her youth. She was kind and loving and tried to make life better for those around her. Seeing little children could always bring her joy. A funeral service for Mrs. Burke will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 4, 2018 at the Strasburg Presbyterian Church with the Rev. David Howard officiating. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Strasburg Presbyterian Church, 325 S. Holliday St., Strasburg, VA 22657. You may sign the guestbook and submit condolences online at www.stoverfuneralhome.com Stover Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., Strasburg, VA is serving the family of Mrs. Burke.