Juanita Baska

Juanita Baska, 84, of Overland Park, KS passed away January 31 at the Sweet Life at Grand Court Nursing Center, 119th and Lamar Avenue, where she lived for about one year. A memorial service will be held later this spring.
Nita was married for 59 years to James Louis Baska, former president of Associated Wholesale Grocers, who passed away in July 2010. Nita was born December 23, 1926 to Alma and Sigfried Carlson, who were of Swedish descent. She grew up on the Plaza and graduated from Westport High School in 1944. She worked at Skelly Oil Co. from about 1946 to 1949. After getting married in 1950, she worked in the office of Baska Laundry and then became a full-time mother in 1956 raising two boys. She and Jim lived in Olathe, KS for many years, where they raised Quarter Horses and collie dogs. She also volunteered at Olathe Medical Center and enjoyed oil painting and raising flowers.
Nita was preceeded in death by her husband Jim, and her parents. Survivors include her sons Steve (wife, Vickie) and Scott (wife Susan, and their children David, Megan, Michael and Jacqueline); and several cousins. Cremation and burial near Rocky Mountain National Park, where Nita and Jim loved to vacation. Donations are invited to the Animal Haven Shelter, 9800 W 67th Street, Merriam, KS 66203.