Juanita Bacon, 95, died in Hutchinson, KS, on January 25, 2025. She was born to Charles and Mable (Templeton) Gallagher on September 11, 1929, in Parsons, KS.
Juanita married Robert C. Bacon in Los Angeles on March 11, 1952. He preceded her in death in 2006. Together, they raised their four children as the fourth generation on the family farm southeast of Hutchinson.
Education was a priority for Juanita and Bob, (who was a Kansas State University graduate). After graduating from Washington High School in Los Angeles, she attended the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), where she graduated as one of four women with a degree in accounting. She worked at the LA Times, spending time with William Randolph Hurst. After returning to Hutchinson and raising her children, she became a licensed insurance agent and finished her career with her own business. She was proud that between her children and grandchildren, they obtained 24 degrees (15 Bachelors, 8 Masters, and 1 Doctorate).
In addition to her work, Juanita was involved in multiple positions as a Park Place Christian Church member and served as the first female Kansas Wheat Commissioner. At one of her first meetings, where she always wore her red “power” suit, a male colleague told her that he would like a cup of coffee, and she responded with, “So would I,” and returned to the task at hand. Juanita and Bob were both actively involved with the Heifer Project Foundation. She also served on the Board of the Kansas Christian Home in Newton, KS. In her free time, she spent hours in front of her sewing machine making clothes for her children and amazing Halloween costumes for her grandchildren.
Juanita is survived by her children: Hannah Fenley, Kansas City, MO; and children Paul (Mackenzie) Fenley and Graham, Tulsa, OK; and Ann (Morgan) Harrison, Denver, CO;
Ruth (Craig) Gibson, Hutchinson, KS; daughters Alison Stanley and Welden and Hayden, Haven, KS; and Laura (Grant) Paitz, and Gwen, Drew and Nora, Wichita, KS;
Robert A. (Susan) Bacon, Hutchinson, KS; children Rachel (Daniel) Kelly and Derek, Leah and Maggie (sixth generation living on the Bacon farm), Hutchinson, KS; Caroline (Kevin) Bohling and Isaac, Henry, Wyatt, and Naomi, Hutchinson, KS; and Thomas Bacon, Cleveland, OH; Julia Bacon, Norman, OK; sons Kent (Matt Seichepine) Spitz, Shawnee, KS; and Luke (Allison) Spitz and Miley, Norman, OK.
In addition, Juanita is survived by her brother Bill Gallagher, of Grass Valley, CA and many nieces and nephews across the United States
Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and two sisters.
Memorial service will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Park Place Christian Church, 2600 N. Adams, Hutchinson. Friends may sign her book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday at Elliott Mortuary.