Juanita 'Nita' Neumiller, 84

Juanita “Nita” Neumiller was a sweet and kind soul, always smiling and giving a wave hello. Juanita was a people person who was a hard worker, loved to cook and carry on a conversation. If you were fortunate enough to meet her, you were offered a warm smile and good conversation.

Juanita passed away peacefully Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Schneidmiller Hospice House. Juanita was born to Emil “Theodore” Eigenmann and Juanita Vivian Hoffman in Missoula, Mont., living and growing up in Missoula and Spokane, Wash.

Juanita married John Pentland in St. Maries, Idaho, and adopted three children and gave birth to one child, Joe. Adopted were James from Korea at 8 years old, Priscilla, at birth, born in Spokane, and Pattie, adopted at 6 months old from an orphanage in Helena, Mont. Juanita and John raised their children in the St. Maries area and several small towns in Montana. They spent several years outside Ronan, Mont., where they built, owned and operated J & J Cafe (currently Connie’s Countryside Cafe) at the Charlo Junction sitting at the base of the Mission Mountains. They then moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1977, later divorcing but staying in the area.

Juanita met and married Harold “Bud” Neumiller, June 15, 1985, and spent many years living and working in the Silver Valley. They moved from Silverton to Coeur d'Alene in 2003 to be closer to family and doctors, residing in the retirement community of Northside Manor making several lifelong friends. Bud passed away March 2005. Juanita never remarried but stayed active working, continuing to help with grandchildren, and caring for her four-legged friends, Buddy and Wally. Juanita moved to an assisted living facility November 2019.

Juanita cooked most of her life for employment, from building and owning a restaurant in Montana to Camlu (now Bestland) senior living in Coeur d'Alene, as well as several small family-owned restaurants throughout the Silver Valley, and 11 years with School District No. 271 as a lunch lady. Working up to the age of 79, Juanita’s most recent, most rewarding, and people pleasing position was as a front-area caretaker at Dairy Queen in Coeur d'Alene until its closing then to Post Falls. She loved this job!

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold “Bud” Neumiller; father Emil “Theodore” Eigenmann; mother Juanita Vivian Hoffman; brother Emil Eigenmann Sr.; sister-in-law Mary Ann Eigenmann; stepson John Neumiller; and three grandsons.

Juanita is survived by her daughter, Priscilla (Bart) Swindle of Waverly, Ga.; son Joseph (JoAnn) Pentland of Harlem, Mont.; daughter Pattie (Neil) Lehto of Spokane, Wash.; son James Pentland of San Diego, Calif.; and stepson Phillip (Janice) Neumiller of Elko, Nev.; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephew.

A graveside service will be at a later date at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of North Idaho (www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org) or On-Site for Seniors (www.onsite4seniors.org).

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Juanita’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.