Juanita Kingdon, age 102, died Friday, September 26, 2014, at SunQuest Healthcare Center, just three months short of her 103rd birthday, after living a remarkable life. One of the strong opinions that Juanita shared with her family and friends was her wish to not have any funeral service for her. To celebrate her life and honor her wishes, the family has elected to have a private internment of Juanita's remains in the family plot at Altoona Cemetery located in Hitchcock, SD, at a later date. In lieu of flowers and cards, please send donations to American Red Cross. She graduated from Hitchcock High School and then from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1934 where she remained the oldest living graduate until her death. During World War II, James Kingdon (Juanita's Brother) was shot down and captured as a prisoner of war while flying a mission over Germany. Upon hearing of her brother's capture, Juanita Kingdon immediately joined the America Red Cross in order to travel overseas, "To find her brother." At the end of the war, James Kingdon was released and sent to Camp Lucky Strike where Juanita was stationed, but they never made connection until both were back in Hitchcock. She served in the American Red Cross for the rest of her career retiring at age 65 after having seen the world. Juanita had traveled to over 100 countries and six of the seven continents. During her career of service, Juanita experienced the Omaha Beach invasion of D Day, she met both General Eisenhower and General Patton, she served three years in the jungles of Viet Nam, and 19 years in Alaska. At the age of 57, she was ordered to Viet Nam where she became the gray haired woman known as, "American Mama-San." Juanita said the most difficult transitions she ever made was moving from the sub zero temperatures of Alaska to the jungle heat of Viet Nam in the same day. Juanita was generous in sharing her life by serving her entire working career in the American Red Cross. She was equally generous in sharing with her family by helping 3 generations with college expenses and educational costs. Juanita was also generous in sharing her opinions. She was often feisty in her response to others but never left you wondering how she felt about anything. She loved life, and lived every moment of it often saying, "You know me, I never want to miss anything." Juanita lived her life as the family Matriarch and a positive influence to generations of her family members. The family is very grateful to have shared in her life, her opinions and her generosity. Juanita will be badly missed.