Obituary of Juanita Oliver

Juanita (Kaltenbach) Oliver, age 71, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, passed away April 23, 2019, from cancer. Preceded in death by her parents Helen and George Kaltenbach.

Juanita was born September 4, 1947, in Ohio.  Her family relocated, during her Junior year of High School, to Crystal Lake, IL.  Juanita attended Southern Illinois University for a two years before marrying her first husband. Daughter, Kimberly, born in Danville, IL, and  son, Robert Van Zandt Jr. born in Battle Creek, MI. This began a string of moves: Perth Amboy, NJ; Stamford, CT; Trumbull, CT; Richmond, VA; Gastonia, NC, and Syracuse, IN. After the end of her first marriage, Juanita moved with her children back to Crystal Lake, IL, to re-define her life as a single parent  with the support and love of her family living in Illinois.

Juanita met, and then married, Jim Oliver in May of 1993. They lived in Crystal Lake and Woodstock, IL and eventually built a home in Ironwood, MI, for Juanita’s retirement years. Health and job circumstances led  to a relocation to Eden Prairie, MN, three years ago. Juanita was diagnosed with cancer 10 weeks prior to her passing. She died at peace, and with dignity, in her home. She was able to visit her granddaughters and immediate family over the Easter weekend, just before she left us. Juanita is survived by husband, Jim Oliver; children, Kim (Dan) Aune of St. Louis Park, MN, and Robert (Cynthia Markey) Van Zandt Jr. of Minneapolis, MN; step-children, Brittany and Nathan Oliver; granddaughters, Megan and Natalie Aune; siblings: Douglas (Kathy) Kaltenbach of St. Germain, WI, Susan (Bruce) Kalm of Ironwood, MI, Lisa Kaltenbach and David Kaltenbach of Lake in the Hills, IL; nieces and  nephews Christine Kaltenbach, Amie (Kurt) Keske, Joseph (Stacy) Kaltenbach, Rebecca Kaltenbach, Ellison, Carter and Callan Kaltenbach, and beloved ‘soul friend’, Jean Schober. Juanita was a friend of Bill W. and proudly would have had 30 years of sobriety in June. Funeral service Monday, May 6, 11:00 a.m. at Westwood Lutheran Church, 9001 Cedar Lake Rd. St. Louis Park. Visitation one hour prior to service. Our family would like to thank Juanita’s caring family and siblings, the entire team from Park Nicollet hospice and the pastoral and care team at Westwood Lutheran Church. Memorials can be directed to Park Nicollet Hospice, MS Society of MN, or Westwood Lutheran Church.