Juanita Rasner

Juanita “Cookie” Rasner, 95, went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 3rd, 2019 at the Colorado Springs assisted living facility where she resided. She was born to August and Cora (Chism) Melbuer at Forder, Colorado on June 17, 1923. Her family later moved to their farm located near the old Kendrick Post Office in the Rush community. Juanita spent all but 10 years of her life residing in the Rush and Edison communities.

                She was very close to her older sister, Ellen. When Juanita and Ellen were very young, their father nicknamed them Bug and Aug because they looked so much alike in their overalls and lace-up shoes and everyone thought they were boys. The Melbuer children really did walk 2 ½ miles to school in all weather types because there were no buses. Farm life during the Depression was difficult. Ellen and Juanita helped keep the family afloat by milking 11 cows and separating the cream; and by gathering, cleaning, candling and packing eggs for sale. The two were nearly inseparable and Ellen learned to drive a car by having Juanita push her down a hill because they weren’t allowed to start the car. This worked great until Ellen ran the car into a fence.

                Juanita married the love of her life, Arthur Rasner, on December 8th, 1942. She earned her nickname, “Cookie”, by cooking for so many crews helping harvest crops on their farm in the Edison community. She could cook nearly anything and was especially known for her mouth-watering homemade pies and hot rolls. Her talents weren’t confined to the kitchen, however, as Cookie also drove a tractor to help farm and she had a keen eye helping Art select breeding bulls for their cattle ranch. Cookie and Art later adopted two children, Roger and Jeannine.

                Cookie had a “green thumb” and could grow nearly anything. She loved flowers of all types and her yard was always full of anything that bloomed. She could usually be found holding a hose, watering some plant. Cookie also loved to garden and preserve the fruits of her labor. She eagerly anticipated showcasing her garden produce every year at the El Paso County Fair. She was a gifted seamstress, making most of the clothes her family wore. She embroidered, crocheted, and quilted countless items. Many in the community called on Cookie to design and create boutonnieres, corsages, and flower arrangements for weddings and anniversary celebrations.

                She actively participated in community organizations, including Edison School’s PTCA, Accountability Committee, Edison Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary, Edison Ladies Aid, Pikes Peak Cattlewomen, and El Paso County Farm Bureau. She thrived on attending any activity or competition that Roger and Jean or any of her grandchildren were involved in.

 Health issues forced Cookie and Art to move into a Colorado Springs assisted living facility in 2009, which was the only move they made in their entire married life. Art preceded Cookie in death on April 6, 2012 and they had been blessed with 69 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Jacob and Laurence; and three sisters, Myrtle, Minnie, and Ellen.

Survivors include her son Roger (Micah) Rasner of Falcon; daughter Jean (Harold) Meinzer of Yoder; four grandchildren, Stacee Rasner of Oklahoma City, OK, Mandee (John) Campbell of Florence, CO, Jake (Kristy) Meinzer of Siloam Springs, AR, and Jade (Breanna) Meinzer of Oshkosh, NE; and four great-grandchildren, Caleb Campbell, Cassee Campbell, and Caidee Campbell, all of Florence, CO, and Quirt Meinzer of Oshkosh, NE.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 14th, 10 a.m., at Kendrick Bible Church, Rush, CO, with Pastor Jerry Allen officiating. Viewing will be from 9-10 a.m. at the church. Burial follows at Kendrick Cemetery. Although Cookie dearly loved flowers, she cherished helping others. So in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Edison Fire Protection District, P.O. Box 185, Yoder, CO 80864.