Juanita A. Horak

Juanita Avonne Horak went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 27, 2025, in Baldwin City, Kansas.

She was born on January 14, 1928, to Lloyd James and Ferne Dora (Nixon) Murphy on a farm near Belleville, Kansas. Less than a year later, her family moved to a farm one mile west of Munden, Kansas, where she enjoyed a happy childhood. After graduating from high school in 1945, Juanita attended Kansas State University and went on to teach elementary school in Republic County, including three years in Munden.

On August 21, 1947, Juanita married the love of her life, John Charles (“Johnny”) Horak, at the United Methodist Church in Munden. They first made their home there while Johnny worked as a Rock Island Depot Agent. In 1954 they moved to Belleville, Kansas, and then to Norton in 1956, where Johnny continued his career with the Rock Island and later the Kyle Railroads. Juanita devoted herself to being a loving wife, mother, and homemaker. She and Johnny shared 63 wonderful years of marriage and raised three children together.

Juanita was a devoted member of Norton United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. She enjoyed playing Bridge with friends, being part of Mendo Club, quilting, and many other activities within the Norton community. After Johnny’s passing, she moved to Vintage Park Assisted Living in Baldwin City in 2017, where she remained an active part of the community. She served as an ambassador welcoming new residents, participated on resident boards, enjoyed outings, learning about the area, and even discovered new hobbies such as painting.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Johnny, her parents Lloyd and Ferne Murphy, her sister Leta (George) Janasek, brother Eugene Murphy, sister Dee (Bob) Dugdale, sisters-in-law Sylvia (Ray) Weaver, Marcie (Ben) Holloway, Ruby (Pete) Eickmann, and Judy Smith.

She is survived by her daughters Lana (Pat) Hutchens of Eudora, Kansas, and Shari (Greg) Coleman of Wilber, Nebraska, and her son Terry Horak (Kim Gregory) of Marathon, Florida. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Johnathon (Jennifer) Hutchens of Smithville, Missouri; Jen Gibbs of Kearney, Nebraska; Jackie (Ryan) Hoobler of Gardner, Kansas and Chelsey (Barry) Young of Wilber, Nebraska; as well as her great-grandchildren Christine (Andrew Rayburn) and Andrew Gibbs, Brock, Logan, and Colbie Young, and McKennah and Stockton Buck. She is also survived by her brother Jimmy (Carol) Murphy of Belleville, Kansas, sister-in-law Katie Murphy of Franklin, Nebraska, and sister-in-law Donna (Ed) Stehno of Hays, Kansas. And many other family and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at First United Methodist Church in Belleville, Kansas, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Viewing will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment following the service at Belleville City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in Juanita’s memory to the Vintage Park Assisted Living Activity Fund in Baldwin City and to the First United Methodist Church of Norton and may be sent to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 566, Belleville, Kansas 66935.

Juanita lived a life full of faith, grace, and kindness. She was deeply loved and will be missed by all who knew her. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home of Belleville, KS is assisting the family with arrangements, www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com