CARBONDALE, Kan. – Juanita “Nita” Anstaett, 95, passed away Jan. 8, 2022, at Brookside Nursing Facility, Overbrook, Kan. She was born Juanita Joan Divine, March 25, 1926, in Brown County, Kansas. She was the daughter of Fannie Marie Hassey Divine and William Mason Divine.
She attended high school at Hamlin High School and then graduated from Topeka High School in 1944.
She married Robert Anstaett, June 16, 1946; he preceded her in death in 1993. She was also preceded in death by her parents; three sisters; and a son-in-law.
She is survived by six children, Vicki (JR) Janneck, Wasilla, Alaska, Robert (Jan) Anstaett Jr., Aurora, Colo., John (Evelyn) Anstaett, Harveyville, Kan., Sherry Small, Carbondale, Penny Buek, Topeka, Kan., Paula (Mike) Lucas, Carbondale; a sister, Pat Campbell, Wellsville, Kan.; and 23 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, nine step-great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
Nita was very community oriented. She played organ at Carbondale UCC Church for many years, served on several of its boards, and taught Sunday School. Nita was secretary of the UCC Kansas Oklahoma conference. She was a 60-year member of Carbondale Grange and was matron of the Junior Grange for more than 20 years. She helped to establish the Girl Scouts in Carbondale and was a Brownie leader for many years. Nita served on the executive committee for the Flint Hills Girls Scout Council. She was a community 4-H leader and was in charge of the home economics entries at the Overbrook fair. She was a member and treasurer for the VFW Women’s Auxiliary. Nita was a member of the Town and Country Jills. Nita and Bob were Charter Members of the Kuntry Kuzzins square dance club.
During WWII, Nita worked in an airplane plant, gluing the wing spars together for the airplanes. Nita also worked as a Harvey Girl when she lived in Kansas City. After the kids, she returned to the workforce and worked at Luce Press Clippings. She worked for Flemming’s until retiring. She then worked for Top Gas Credit Union part-time until it merged.
A celebration of her life will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at Carbondale UUC, 104 S. Fourth St., Carbondale. Masks are strongly suggested.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer society or Carbondale United Church of Christ, and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, PO Box 194, Burlingame, KS 66413. Condolences can be left at lamb-roberts.com.
