Dorothy Ellen Juker

On January 27, 2025, Dorothy Ellen Juker peacefully passed away. God gave only the most special people hearts like hers and she made many people a part of our extended family, giving them a place to call home. Her open heart and arms will be missed in the community.

Dorothy was born March 31, 1936, in Twin Falls, Idaho to John and Edith Bolton, she has a younger brother, Gene “Bud”, whom she adored. She attended the one-room school at Deep Creek until the 8th grade. A 1954 graduate of Buhl High School, she was class president, and her senior class held the first commencement in the new Buhl High School gym. She had a group of friends who enjoyed each other at slumber parties and swimming in Deep Creek. Her friends thought it was pretty cool that she lived on Thrill Hill (Black Bear Hill). One time they were in trouble when they fit as many as they could in a car and drove to Twin Falls to see the CC Anderson Building fire but were late getting back to school!

After graduating, Dorothy married Wayne Claxton. They resided in Halfway, Oregon and together had one daughter, Pamela. After a tragic accident that took Wayne’s life, Dorothy and Pamm moved back to Buhl.

In 1960, Dorothy married George Juker and together they raised their four children, Pamela, Robin, Troy and Holly on the farm in Buhl.

Life was never dull at the Juker’s house. Most weekdays were spent farming, but weekends were reserved for rodeos and horseracing. Dorothy would pack up the four children, stow them in the tiny camper and take off down the road for the next event. Roaming a rodeo arena or horse track and sleeping in a camper like sardines was a dream come true for the kids. She spent the next week getting the kids, clothes, and camper cleaned and outfitted for the next weekend.

Dorothy was a member of the local sisterhood chapter of Beta Sigma Phi for over 70 years, having served various offices and actively participating as they selflessly served our community. She was also a lifetime member of the Northview Ladies Club which began during WWII aiding in rolling bandages and supporting each other and the community as the need arose and the Club is still active today.

Dorothy was very artistic. She played piano, was a seamstress, painted and crafted. She made jean quilts for each of her grandchildren, finishing her last one this Fall. She started the tradition of making a unique Christmas ornament and cookie exchange, which she then shared with friends and family during the holiday season. When she was unable to continue this tradition on her own, her granddaughters stepped in, and each year continue this tradition in her honor. Just a month ago she joined her great grandchildren in frosting and eating sugar cookies.

After raising her own four children, Dorothy opened her heart to the children in the Buhl community and worked for 20 years as a paraprofessional at Buhl Middle School. She taught migrant students K-12. With the help of the Migrant Council and 4-H organization, she started a summer school program advising 30-100 students each summer. Those students called many times for instructions on how to make brownies or sew on a button. She also convinced George to help some students learn to drive prior to driver’s education just to ensure they would pass the course.

When Dorothy retired, she spent much of her time with her grandchildren. She recently asked us to tally up the number of events she attended during her lifetime and the conservative estimate is attendance at over 4,000 junior high, high school and college athletic events. Even though her eyesight prevented her from seeing her great grandchildren’s games, she knew they could see her in the stands.

If not at a sporting event she was in a rowboat fishing, in a duck blind hunting or doing art projects at home. Each summer she took one grandchild for a week just focusing on their special interests. Most weekends you would find grandchildren and their friends around her table eating and playing marathon rummy games. You can still find scorecards in her notebooks around the kitchen table.

Dorothy was a proud supporter of Boise State football. This past year she was still wearing her 2006, bedazzled Fiesta Bowl T-shirt on every Bronco gameday.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, George Juker; granddaughter, Cassie Juker-Thomas; and grandson, Macey Juker. 

She is survived by daughters, Pamela “Pamm” Juker and Holly Newell; sons, Robin Juker and Troy (Jenny) Juker; and grandchildren, Andrew (Demi) Miller (Maxwell and Lucie), Hanna (Brodie) Hall (Grace, Jackson and Jenna), Miranda (Alejandro) Delgado, Lukas (Michelle) Miller (Cooper and Brooks), Jordin (Jon) Schmidt (Olivia), Bo VandenBerg, Matthys “Thys” VandenBerg, JC Juker, Jade Juker, Ellen Newell, Katelynn Newell, Christopher Newell, Kynlee

Reynolds, Lane Thomas, Nick Jenkins Erik Durrant, Ryan (Katelyn) Wiggs (Braileigh, Bentley), and Shelby (Ricky) Cloutier (Nykella, Oakley).

A viewing will be held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Friday, February 7, 2025, at Farmer Funeral Chapel, 130 9th Ave N, Buhl, Idaho. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the First Christian Church, 1005 Poplar Street, Buhl, Idaho.

Memorial donations in Dorothy’s name may be made to the Buhl Food Pantry, 910 Maple, Buhl, Idaho, 83316.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Dorothy’s memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.