Juanita Heikes

Juanita Dorothy Heikes, 90, of Rochester, Minnesota passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Benedict House, Madonna Towers following an 11-year battle with depression and dementia. Her departure marked the end of a remarkable life filled with love, devotion, and countless memories that will live on forever.

Born on January 7, 1935, in Lakota, IA, to Vance and Minnie (Ennen) Lester, she was the 'little darling' her dad had been waiting for. She graduated from Lakota High School in 1952. During school she was able to participate in 4H, played basketball, and went to Hawkeye Girl's State. After graduation she worked at a small appliance repair shop, Ray's Radio Service, until a local woman offered to pay for Juanita's tuition to attend Nursing School. She graduated from Rochester Methodist Kahler School of Nursing on September 21, 1957. Part of her training included the Cook County Hospital, Chicago Living-In Hospital, and Rochester State Hospital. After graduation Juanita worked at Rochester Methodist Hospital and worked her way up to head nurse.

During the war, she worked in Orange County, CA for 3 years. Juanita returned to Rochester where she worked at the Mayo Clinic and ran the Immunization Clinic and Travel Clinic on West 17 earning her the title of 'best shot lady' ever. She worked for Mayo Clinic for 34 years. She retired in January of 1997 but would continue to return to Mayo annually to help at the fall flu clinic for employees. Juanita really enjoyed singing and spent years singing bass in a group called 'Sweet Adelines.'

Juanita got married to Howard Heikes on May 17, 1960, they later divorced. Juanita and Howard had two children together, Jodi and Todd Heikes.

She loved her time spent with family, going to sporting events, and attending choir concerts and dance recitals of her grandchildren.

Juanita is survived by her daughter, Jodi (John) Muenkel of Rochester; son, Todd (Darla) Heikes of Rochester; her grandchildren, Darci Meyer, Jacob (Marissa) Muenkel, Johanna Muenkel and Trista Heikes and three great grandchildren, Kendrik & Cooper Meyer and Colt Orke.

Juanita is preceded in death by her parents, Vance and Minnie Lester and brothers, Edmond and Dwayne Lester.

A funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home (5421 Royal Pl. NW) with a visitation one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery.

The family would like to express their gratitude and thanks to Mayo Clinic Hospice Team for their compassionate care and support they provided the family on this journey. We would also like to thank the staff at the Benedict House for their care and kind words.