Juanita Kirby

Juanita Kirby, 88, of Mitchell, SD, died Monday, September 7, 2020 at Firesteel Healthcare Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Thursday, September 10, 2020 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM on Wednesday at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a 6:30 PM scripture service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Juanita Kirby was born on April 20, 1932 to Steve and Pearl (Miller) Kelley in Salem, SD. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Salem.

Juanita married her high school sweetheart, Richard “Rocky” Kirby, on March 27, 1951. To this union they had three children, Nancy, Colleen, and Todd.

Juanita worked as a secretary for Richard at the Spencer Grain Company.

In 1999 they moved from Spencer to Mitchell, and were members of Holy Family Catholic Church. Juanita enjoyed her family and grandchildren. She also enjoyed tending to her beautiful flowers.

She is survived by her daughters, Nancy (Russ) Eich of Brookings, SD and Colleen (Paul) Mentele of Alexandria, SD; son, Todd (Shelli) Kirby of Salem, SD; 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Juanita is preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Rocky” in 2015; great-grandson, Dylan Mentele; brother, LeRoy Kelley; and sisters, Phyllis Muters, Joanne Kaskie, Jean Rockliffe, and Doris Warner.