Obituary: Emma Juanita Hall Alley

June 1, 1935~June 8, 2022

Juanita Alley (Emma Juanita Hall Alley), age 87, died on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, after a short illness. Juanita was born on June 1, 1935, in Henry County, Kentucky. She grew up in Kentucky and met her future husband, George Alley, in Vevay, Indiana. They were married on June 28, 1953, and lived in Indiana, Nebraska and Madison and Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin before retiring to Door County, Wisconsin. After George’s passing in 2013, Juanita moved to Verona and most recently to Sun Prairie.

Juanita raised five kids and also worked at various jobs as her children got older, most notably as the Activity Director at Ingleside Nursing Home in Mt. Horeb. She and her family were very active in the Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church where she enjoyed knowing many great friends and families. Upon retiring, they relocated to Door County to help with their son Fred’s start-up theater company, American Folklore Theatre, now known as Northern Sky Theatre. Juanita and George contributed in any and every way possible from sewing costumes, to ushering and helping with parking. Juanita also enjoyed hosting her granddaughters for summers as they interned at the theatre.

She was a loving, caring, wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma, and friend. Juanita was a tireless and terrific host, cook and baker with many famous recipes enjoyed by family and friends, in particular her fresh baked pies. Her love of music and the arts went beyond her work with the theatre. She truly enjoyed all aspects of the Door County arts community and made many friends there. Juanita and George were members of the Zion United Methodist Church, Fish Creek, where they also built many wonderful friendships.

Juanita is survived by her sons David (Dr. Deborah Webber), Sister Bay; Chris, Sister Bay; and John (Rhonda), Madison; her grandchildren Chelsea (Dan) Nicholson, Green Bay; Amber (Keegan) Waldo, Madison; Callie (Brent) Hill, Madison; Josh Alley, Blue Mounds; Keenan Alley, Madison; and Katie Alley, Valencia, Spain; great grandchildren, Haley Nicholson; Archer and Fischer Waldo; and Alice, Bea, and Fred Hill, and her sister Nora (the late Omer) Rieckers, Tupelo Mississippi.

She was preceded in death by her husband George; daughter Melanie and son Fred; grandson Casey; her parents Christopher and Nannie Hall; sister Jean and brother-in-law Eddie Purnell, and sister Joyce (Fred) Klingman.

The family would like to acknowledge the great care given to Juanita over the years by Dr. Magnolia Larson, UW Health Verona, and in her final days by Dr. Carlos, Nurse Gabby, and Nurse Eric at Meriter Hospital, and by the wonderful, caring people at Agrace Hospice, Fitchburg.

A Celebration of Juanita’s Life will be held on Wednesday, June 29 at 6:00 pm at Badger Prairie Park Shelter House, 4654 Maple Grove Dr, Verona, WI 53593

Memorials may be made payable to the family and mailed in care of Emma Juanita Alley to Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 N. Sherman Avenue, Madison, WI  53704.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Verona Chapel

220 Enterprise Drive

608-845-6625