Juanita Hern

Juanita Hern, age 55, passed away March 11, at the Guadalupe County Hospital in Santa Rosa following an illness. Juanita was born January 16, 1950 in Las Vegas, NM to the home of Robert and Beatrize Montoya Hern. She was reared in Anton Chico and attended schools in Anton Chico and Santa Rosa. Juanita also attended New Mexico Highlands University where she obtained her degree in education. She worked for the Santa Rosa Consolidated Schools for 23 years. Juanita loved all her students and always went that extra mile for them. She enjoyed putting on plays with her students, doing them in both english and spanish. Juanita was currenlty teaching 4th grade at the Santa Rosa Elementary. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and reading. Juanita is preceded in death by her parents, brothers; Charlie Lingnua and William Hern. Survivors include her daughters; Hope Melendez and husband Isaac of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Beatric Hern, Leatriz Chavez and husband Robert all of Santa Rosa, son; Robert Bryan Brown and girlfriend Doreen Dadig of Santa Rosa, grandchildren; Presley Hern, Marcus Chavez, Ayliah Chavez, Jose Ortiz, David Ortiz and Olivia Melendez, partner; Gary Persons of Santa Rosa. Also surviving are her brothers and sisters; James Robert Hern and wife Tim, Wilfred Hern and wife Clarabelle, Abelino Hern and wife Camilla, Antonio Hern, Ben Roy Hern, Estefanita Gonzales and husband John, Erma Madrid and husband Ramon, Joann Seiber, Geraldine Ruiz and husband Victor, Eloisa Bustillos, Ernest Lingnau and wife Gilda as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends. As per Juanita's wishes her body will be cremated and a memorial rosary will be recited on Monday, March 14, at 7:00 PM from St. Joseph Church in Anton Chico. A second Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, March 15, at 7:00 PM from St. Rose of Lima Churchin Santa Rosa. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 16, at 10:00 AM also from St. Rose Church with Father Nick Nichols officiating. Private family burial of cremains will be held on a later date. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be the Santa Rosa Consolidated School Staff, Students and former Students. All services are entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home, 923 South 3rd St., Santa Rosa, NM (505)472-3369.