Juanita Thompson Obituary Juanita was born in Hailey, ID on November 9, 1936, to David and Epi Inchausti, the fifth of their seven children. Her parents immigrants from the Basque country in Spain instilled in her deep commitments to their Catholic faith, their new home country, and their community. While in high school, Juanita made sure she was cheering from the stands/bleachers at every home game, a dedication that resulted in her being voted the first homecoming queen of Hailey High School. Juanita had a self-deprecating sense of humor, so it was not uncommon to hear her say that the football coach told his players to vote for the girl that cheers them on at every game instead of the prettiest at school. Juanita graduated in 1954 and decided to take the steps to start her career. After graduating from high school, Juanita attended nursing school at St. Alphonsus in Boise, ID, achieving an Associates Degree and becoming a registered nurse (RN). Juanita then worked a couple nursing jobs in Las Vegas and Denver before proudly demonstrating her commitment to country by joining the Air Force. She joined the Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant and completed her basic training in Alabama, was promoted to Lieutenant in Laredo, and was then promoted to Captain in Torrejon, Spain. While stationed in Spain, she met the love of her life, Richard "Dick" Thompson, who was an officer and pilot in the Air Force. They were introduced by mutual friends in 1964 and immediately hit it off even though, as mom used to joke, she 'outranked' him at the time. Juanita was transferred to South Dakota but still managed to plan a wedding long-distance. Juanita resigned her commission in June of 1965 and married Dick on August 21, 1965, at St. Charles Catholic Parish in Hailey, Idaho. Their love and commitment resulted in a marriage that lasted 58 years (until Dicks passing earlier this year). Dick and Juanita moved to Travis AFB, California after Dick received a new assignment. They welcomed their first child, Richard Arthur on June 8, 1966, quickly followed by Paul Edward on December 26, 1967, and Christina Raquel on December 17, 1968. Dick received orders for an overseas assignment that took him to Saudia Arabia for a year and during this time, Juanita and her (very) young brood lived with Juanitas mom, Epifania ("Epi") Inchausti in Hailey, ID. After Dicks assignment in Saudi Arabia ended in 1970, Dick received orders to deploy to Howard Air Force Base in Panama and the family joined him for his jungle assignment. Dick and Juanita welcomed their fourth child, James Michael, on January 6, 1972. Dicks next assignment came in 1974 when he was given an opportunity to move to McGuire AFB in New Jersey. On February 9, 1977, Dick and Juanita welcomed their (surprise!) fifth and last child, William Joseph ("BJ"). Over the course of their military life together, Juanita followed Dick to stations in California, Panama, New Jersey, and finally Albuquerque, New Mexico. Though Juanita was no longer active duty, she derived great joy and fulfillment from serving as a surrogate mother to the airmen in Dicks squadrons, a role model for other military wives, the "hostess with the mostess" for their many dinner parties, and the matriarch of the Thompson family. While stationed in New Jersey, Juanita re-entered the workforce and served as the school nurse for Saint Marys Catholic School, primarily because that position offered reduced tuition, a very important benefit since they had four children attending the school at that time. Shortly after moving to Albuquerque, Juanita accepted a position as a nurse at Manor Care Sandia and worked there until her official retirement in 2000. Juanita loved her time working at that nursing home because it allowed her to bring comfort (through her faith) to the patients and their families. Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, husband Dick, and her fourth child, James. She is survived by son Rich (Jaime and children Dylan and Max), son Paul (Mari and children Devin and Brian), daughter Christina (Brad and children Kyle and Ryan), and son BJ (Will Whitehouse). Juanita will be missed by all that had the honor of knowing her, but especially by her family. Memorial services will be held Monday, August 5, and will include a rosary at 10:30 AM with a mass at 11:00, both at St. Marys Catholic Church in Boise, ID. Following the rosary and mass, there will be a military burial at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery and a celebration of life at Quail Hollow Golf Course. Arrangements are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel where an online guest book and full obituary is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Juanitas name to the American Cancer Society (https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/index.cfm...). Though we will miss her, we take comfort in knowing she is free from pain and reunited with our dad, our brother, and the many that have gone before her. We love you, mom, and we will carry your legacy on. Services Recitation of the Rosary Monday August 5, 2024 10:30 AM St. Mary's Catholic Church 575 E. College St. Mount Angel, OR 97362 Mass of Christian Burial Monday August 5, 2024 11:00 AM St. Mary's Catholic Church 2612 W. State St. Boise, ID 83702 Interment Monday August 5, 2024 1:00 PM Idaho State Veterans Cemetery 10100 Horseshoe Bend Rd Boise, Idaho 83714 Reception Monday August 5, 2024 2:00 PM Quail Hollow Golf Course 4720 N 36th St. Boise, ID 83703