Melissa Charleen Owens Juenke, beloved wife, daughter, sister, aunt, stepmother, “Omi,” and cherished friend, passed away on May 22, 2026. She was born in Longview, Texas, on November 22, 1966.

Melissa’s life was a beautiful reflection of love, kindness, laughter, loyalty, and grace. She had a way of making people feel comfortable, cared for, and important. To know Melissa was to know warmth. She loved deeply, gave generously, laughed easily, and brought light into the lives of those blessed enough to walk beside her.

Melissa graduated from Texas A&M University in 1989 and remained a proud and devoted Aggie throughout her life. After graduation, she began her career in public accounting as an auditor with KPMG. Her work with multinational corporations allowed her to travel, one of the great joys of her life, including a longer-term rotation to Australia. She later joined Sterling Bancshares Inc., where she became Vice President and Controller.

After Sterling, Melissa worked as an independent contractor for major companies, providing services primarily in financial system design and implementation. Her knowledge, professionalism, and expertise were in high demand. A little over five years ago, she began working with Finit Solutions, where she rose to the position of Program Director. Melissa was accomplished, respected, and admired in her professional life, but her true legacy is found in the people she loved and the love she gave so freely. She was smart, steady, thoughtful, and strong, but she was also tender, funny, joyful, and full of life. She carried herself with grace and had a quiet way of making even ordinary moments feel special.

Melissa had a large and loving circle of friends, especially her girlfriends — a devoted tribe of women, many of whom first met during their KPMG days in the early 1990’s. Their friendship was one of the great treasures of her life. Together, they shared seasons of celebration and heartbreak, laughter and tears, young adulthood and motherhood, nights out and quiet conversations. What began with fun evenings at places like Kay’s and Marquee grew into weddings, children, birthday parties, dinner parties, and long talks over coffee, wine, or a good old-fashioned. Melissa was the kind of friend people held close for a lifetime.

She loved music of every kind. Melissa enjoyed concerts large and small, and she loved to dance, especially with her husband, Glenn. Her musical taste was as wide and joyful as her heart; you might hear her humming anything from Edith Piaf to Metallica. Music brought her joy, and so did sharing that joy with the people she loved.

Melissa was also a passionate sports fan and a true Texas A&M super fan. She loved Aggie sports and especially enjoyed March Madness.

Above all, Melissa loved her family. She loved Glenn with her whole heart, and the life they shared was filled with companionship, laughter, dancing, travel, ordinary days, and deep love. She loved Hannah and Sarah and held them close in her heart. She adored her nephew, Jack Brady Owens. One of the sweetest joys of her life was becoming “Omi” to her precious “wee lad,” Harrison Glenn Strack. That title meant the world to her.

Melissa was preceded in death by her mother, Linda Fisher Owens; her stepfather, Mike Scallorn; her father, John Owens; and her loving brother, John “Marty” Owens.

She is survived by her husband, Glenn Juenke; stepdaughter, Hannah Juenke Strack and her husband Steven, and their son, Harrison Glenn Strack; stepdaughter, Sarah Juenke and Wilson Randolph; her sister-in-law, Erica Zylstra Owens; her nephew, Jack Brady Owens; her brother, John Scott Owens, and nieces Emma and Raegan; Uncle Bill and Aunt Jeanie Fisher; Aunt Judy Williams; and many extended family members and dear friends who loved her dearly.

Melissa’s life was a gift. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her kind heart, her quick wit, her loyal friendship, her love of music, her Aggie spirit, and the way she made people feel loved. Her absence leaves a space that cannot be filled, but the love she gave will remain with her family and friends forever.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, June 5, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at LJ Vineyards in Hunt, Texas. Those planning to attend are kindly asked to email Glenn at Glenn@Juenke.net.

A service celebrating Melissa’s life will be held Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Hunt United Methodist Church in Hunt, Texas.

Services with integrity, pride, and honor are under the direction of Kerrville Funeral Home. (830) 895-5111