Juanita Bruhn

Juanita E. Bruhn, 89, of Cape Girardeau passed away Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

She was born Oct. 22, 1917, in Fredericktown, Mo., daughter of George and Bess Mills Baxter. She and the Rev. Herbert Bruhn were married Aug. 1, 1935. He passed away Nov. 28, 2000.

Juanita was raised and schooled in Herculaneum, Mo. She assisted her husband in the ministry many years. They ministered in churches at Festus, Chaffee, St. Louis, East Prairie, Jackson, Whitewater and Perryville, Mo.

They were missionaries in Alaska at the end of World War II, where they established a church in Sitka as well as ministering in Fairbanks. She and her husband were also founders of South Side Assembly of God in St. Louis. She and her husband were nursing home administrators in many states, where Juanita served as an occupational therapist.

Juanita was a talented musician, specializing as an organist, pianist and soloist. She was a Sunday school teacher and until her passing was a member of Cape First Assembly of God.

Loving survivors include a daughter, Judy and Tom Gerdis of Shelbyville, Ky.; two grandsons, Joel and Toby Gerdis and their son Ethan of Louisville, Ky., and Micah Gerdis of Louisville; a granddaughter, Trina and Ken Sutherland and their son Gideon of Louisville; a brother, George and Jane Baxter of Crestwood, Mo.; two sisters, Christine Randen of Festus, Violet Anderson of Farmington, Mo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law.

Friends may call Saturday from 10-11 a.m., with the funeral following at 11 at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. The Rev. Gary Brothers will officiate. Interment will follow in Herculaneum Cemetery in Herculaneum.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Teen Challenge, P.O. Box 1089, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.