Juanita Durso

Born in Lenape, Kansas on September 23, 1920

Departed on December 7, 2019 and resided in Franklin, Tennessee

Juanita O. Durso (Mrs. Carl F. Durso)- December 7, 2019.

Born in rural Kansas in 1920, Juanita Orrick attended Wyandotte High School and Kansas City Business College before moving to Manhattan, KS where she met Corporal Carl Durso, US Army, assigned to the 7th Cavalry (Horse) at Fort Riley. They were married in 1941 and resided in Rochester, NY until moving back to Kansas, settling in Olathe in 1951.

A qualified Interior Decorator with a certification from the Chicago Art Institute, Juanita operated Nita Durso Interiors for customers in and around the Olathe area. She was active in the community and a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church where she was a prominent member of the Altar Society. She was a Girl Scout leader, and active in the PTA. She was President of the University of Notre Dame Auxiliary in Kansas City and supported her husband's position as Executive Vice President with the Mission, KS Chamber of Commerce by hosting political functions in her home, always creatively decorated. When the family moved to Lake Wales, Florida in 1975, she worked as the executive Secretary for a prominent housing development company and continued her involvement in the community affairs. Locally famous for her love of collie dogs, Juanita was featured in the newspaper for her daily practice of walking the path around Lake Wales with her current collie, which she did regularly well into her 90s. She was a member of Holy Sprit Catholic church in Lake Wales where she maintained her home for twenty-five years after the death of her husband, Carl.

A self-trained artist, Juanita was accomplished in portraiture and landscape; also musically talented, she played trumpet in the Wyandotte HS band and enjoyed the piano, often playing the family baby grand and upright pianos over the years. She served as president of the Lake Wales Area Music Club for several terms and actively supported the programs of the famous Bok Tower campanile in Lake Wales. In addition, she was the number one fan and support person for the theatrical pursuits of both her daughter and granddaughter, designing and tailoring hand-made gowns and outfits for the stage

She is survived by her children: Kent Durso, Franklin Tn; Beth Gurss, Edmond OK; Marc Durso, Miami FL; and Asunta Fleming, Old Hickory TN and by grandchildren: Jessi Durso, Thompson Station TN; Abbey Vavrik, Valparaiso IN; Scott Gurss, Edmond OK; Aria Durso, Franklin TN; Kerry Radcliffe, Barton TN and Olivia Fleming, Old Hickory TN and her great grandchildren: Lachlan Hilsee, Bronwen Durso, Camden Vavrik, Victoria Vavrik and Payton Gurss.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at St. Matthew Catholic Church.