Juanita Lucille Graham

Juanita Graham, of Soap Lake, Washington, passed away on July 1, 2019, surrounded by her loving family. Nita died of congestive heart failure at age 95 at the Cottage in the Meadow Hospice facility in Yakima, WA. Nita was born in Palisade, Colorado, January 1, 1924, to Irl and Ollie Akers. She had two older brothers and a younger sister and lived a happy and loving childhood in Western Colorado. She attended a small country grade school in Molina and high school in Collbran, CO. At an early age she wanted to be a teacher and was educated at Mesa Junior College in Grand Junction and the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. Nita taught in Colorado, Idaho and Washington, retiring from the Soap Lake school district in 1989, after many years as a beloved second grade teacher. Music was very important in Nita’s life and she took her first piano lessons on the family’s old pump organ. Nita was an excellent pianist and played for many school events, church services, weddings, funerals and memorials. She was the organist and pianist for her local church for over 60 years. Nita met her husband, Lewis Graham, in Greeley while attending the university. They were married December 26, 1950, in Greeley, and were married 54 years before Lew’s death in 2004. Besides traveling in the USA, Nita and Lew traveled extensively after their retirement enjoying trips to Europe, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and Morocco, Africa; Nita bought a musical instrument in every country she visited. Nita was a very loving, generous and independent woman who had a very strong Christian faith. She was a beloved and wonderful mother and grandmother and she stayed in contact with her many loving nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed but forever in the hearts of her three children and their families; Brenda Mohr (Clayton), Vernon (Deb) and Mark (Genny). Nita had four wonderful grandchildren, Joshua Mohr (Helo), Stacey (Mohr) Duffield (Jed), Samuel and Mathew Graham; two wonderful step-grandchildren, Autumn (Magnus) Johnnson, Garth (Michelle) Westland; one great-grandchild, Alexandria Duffield; six step-great-grandchildren, Linnea and Mia Johnnson; Layla Westland; Kaida, Kiera and Stephen Westland. Juanita was preceded in death by her step-grandson Seth Westland. The family thanks Nita’s many friends and neighbors who helped her during the last couple years while she still lived independently in her home. She was lovingly invited to live in Yakima with her son and daughter-in-law, Vern and Deb, during the last seven months of her life. A Memorial Service is planned for Sunday, July 14, 1:00 pm, Ephrata Seventh-day Adventist Church. Graveside service to follow at Valley View Memorial Park in Soap Lake. Friends and family are invited to a no-host dinner, approximately 3:30, at Tequilas Restaurant in Ephrata. Arrangements are under the direction of Nicoles Funeral Home in Ephrata, Washington.

Tributes

Juanita Lucille Graham

January 1, 1924 - July 1, 2019