1942
Mrs.
2009
Mrs. Juanita Rardin
September 18, 1942 — August 9, 2009
Juanita Almquist Rardin, 66, Overland Park, KS, passed away August 9, 2009, surrounded by her loving family and dear friends holding her hands and telling her how much they loved her. With unbelievable courage and a positive, uncomplaining attitude, she battled cancer relentlessly for the last 2 years and 8 months.
Juanita was born September 18, 1942, at Trinity Lutheran Hospital in Kansas City, MO. She graduated 2nd in her class from Paseo High School in 1960. While attending KU and living at Sellards Scholarship Hall, she met her future husband, Gene, a resident of Battenfeld Scholarship Hall. They were married June 6, 1964. Juanita earned a degree in Elementary Education from KU in 1964 and began a long, rewarding, and meaningful career educating young children at Frank Rushton Elementary and William Allen White Elementary, both in Kansas City, KS. After a break from teaching for the birth of her two children, Michael (1972) and Jennifer (1974), she resumed teaching at Hartman Magnet School in Kansas City, MO, until her retirement in 2003. She joined the staff of Blue Valley Montessori Pre-School in 2004 for an especially rewarding time as an assistant teacher until illness forced her retirement in 2007. Juanita's steadfast support and encouragement were essential to her husband's successful campaigns for election to the Kansas State House in 2006 and 2008. Juanita loved music and nature, especially Colorado and butterflies, and belonged to the Sierra Club. She and Gene volunteered many years at the Missouri Repertory Theatre.
Juanita was preceded in death by her mother and father, Geneva A. and Herbert E. Almquist, and her mother and father-in law, Virginia L. and Eugene M. Rardin, Sr. We are comforted believing that they will be there for her in the after-life, yet, knowing Juanita, realize she will probably be the one caring for them.
She is survived by her devoted and consummate partner, advocate, and husband of 45 years, Eugene M. Rardin, Jr.; cherished and treasured children, Michael E. Rardin, Overland Park, and Jennifer Decker (Darren), Olathe; loving brother Ronald G. Almquist (Susan), Lexington, MA; dear in-law siblings, Ronald L. Rardin (Blanca), Springdale, AR; Linda Robbins (Charles), Liberty Township, OH; and Patricia Mairs (Kenneth), Overland Park; precious grandchildren, Dakotah, Alyse, and Allison Decker; 8 special nieces & nephews; and 4 valued great-nieces & nephews.
Juanita's passion in life was giving, teaching, and loving in her own quiet way. She touched each person she encountered, and saw and nurtured only their best through her endless patience and determination. Those knowing Juanita for many years or just a few minutes were warmed by her shining positive light, strength, and goodness. Juanita's legacy of love, kindness, and giving will live on through her family and friends and through the countless children she touched with her special encouragement and care as they share and pass on her gift to others. Her family and friends will mourn the tragedy of her passing, yet treasure forever the true and pure love she showered on them for all of her years on Earth.
The family would like to acknowledge the sterling medical care Juanita received from Dr. Karen Kelly, Dr. Fen Wang, Dr. Anna Pollack, and Dr. Allan Fleming, the many caring nurses on their staffs at KU Medical Center and Cancer Center, the kind help of physical therapist Kate Geist, and the phenomenal doctors and nurses of Kansas City Palliative Care and Hospice House where she spent her last days and hours.
Services will be Friday, August 21st, at 11am at Johnson County Funeral Chapel and Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf Avenue Overland Park, KS, 66210, with a visitation Thursday evening from 6-8 pm at the Chapel.
The family suggests contributions to:
Cancer Action, www.canceractionkc.org, Kansas City Palliative Care and Hospice House, www.kansascityhospice.org, and the Rocky Mountain National Park Fund and Nature Association, www.rmna.org
“Juanita, as you danced in the light with joy, love lifted you. As you brushed against this world so gently, you lifted us.” T.C.Ring
Juanita was born September 18, 1942, at Trinity Lutheran Hospital in Kansas City, MO. She graduated 2nd in her class from Paseo High School in 1960. While attending KU and living at Sellards Scholarship Hall, she met her future husband, Gene, a resident of Battenfeld Scholarship Hall. They were married June 6, 1964. Juanita earned a degree in Elementary Education from KU in 1964 and began a long, rewarding, and meaningful career educating young children at Frank Rushton Elementary and William Allen White Elementary, both in Kansas City, KS. After a break from teaching for the birth of her two children, Michael (1972) and Jennifer (1974), she resumed teaching at Hartman Magnet School in Kansas City, MO, until her retirement in 2003. She joined the staff of Blue Valley Montessori Pre-School in 2004 for an especially rewarding time as an assistant teacher until illness forced her retirement in 2007. Juanita's steadfast support and encouragement were essential to her husband's successful campaigns for election to the Kansas State House in 2006 and 2008. Juanita loved music and nature, especially Colorado and butterflies, and belonged to the Sierra Club. She and Gene volunteered many years at the Missouri Repertory Theatre.
Juanita was preceded in death by her mother and father, Geneva A. and Herbert E. Almquist, and her mother and father-in law, Virginia L. and Eugene M. Rardin, Sr. We are comforted believing that they will be there for her in the after-life, yet, knowing Juanita, realize she will probably be the one caring for them.
She is survived by her devoted and consummate partner, advocate, and husband of 45 years, Eugene M. Rardin, Jr.; cherished and treasured children, Michael E. Rardin, Overland Park, and Jennifer Decker (Darren), Olathe; loving brother Ronald G. Almquist (Susan), Lexington, MA; dear in-law siblings, Ronald L. Rardin (Blanca), Springdale, AR; Linda Robbins (Charles), Liberty Township, OH; and Patricia Mairs (Kenneth), Overland Park; precious grandchildren, Dakotah, Alyse, and Allison Decker; 8 special nieces & nephews; and 4 valued great-nieces & nephews.
Juanita's passion in life was giving, teaching, and loving in her own quiet way. She touched each person she encountered, and saw and nurtured only their best through her endless patience and determination. Those knowing Juanita for many years or just a few minutes were warmed by her shining positive light, strength, and goodness. Juanita's legacy of love, kindness, and giving will live on through her family and friends and through the countless children she touched with her special encouragement and care as they share and pass on her gift to others. Her family and friends will mourn the tragedy of her passing, yet treasure forever the true and pure love she showered on them for all of her years on Earth.
The family would like to acknowledge the sterling medical care Juanita received from Dr. Karen Kelly, Dr. Fen Wang, Dr. Anna Pollack, and Dr. Allan Fleming, the many caring nurses on their staffs at KU Medical Center and Cancer Center, the kind help of physical therapist Kate Geist, and the phenomenal doctors and nurses of Kansas City Palliative Care and Hospice House where she spent her last days and hours.
Services will be Friday, August 21st, at 11am at Johnson County Funeral Chapel and Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf Avenue Overland Park, KS, 66210, with a visitation Thursday evening from 6-8 pm at the Chapel.
The family suggests contributions to:
Cancer Action, www.canceractionkc.org, Kansas City Palliative Care and Hospice House, www.kansascityhospice.org, and the Rocky Mountain National Park Fund and Nature Association, www.rmna.org
“Juanita, as you danced in the light with joy, love lifted you. As you brushed against this world so gently, you lifted us.” T.C.Ring
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