Juanita Rupke Tracy passed away peacefully on Monday, December 15th, in Phillipsburg, KS, at the age of 98.

She was born on April 13th, 1927, in Long Island, KS, the youngest of 11 children. She was the daughter of William Rupke and Hendrikje (Hattie) Konjer Rupke.  Juanita attended school in Long Island, KS.

Juanita and Dana Dwight Tracy were married on September 11th, 1951, in Norton, KS, after he returned from the Korean War. With their union, they welcomed 3 children, Marla, Darrell, and Burell. Dana passed away in 1984.

Juanita was a bookkeeper for the family business, Tracy Tank Service. Juanita was known for her cooking and baking. She never followed a recipe, but her homemade breads, cakes, and pies went unmatched. Juanita loved to crochet; she won many awards for items she entered in the local fair. She was the most talented seamstress. She could look at a picture and create that garment out of any material. There was always enough food on the table at mealtime- no matter who was brought home for a meal, they had enough to eat.  Juanita loved to ride motorcycles in her younger years. She passed that love on to her children. She also was a Bluebird leader.

It has to be mentioned that playing "Old Maid" was a favorite pastime at family gatherings with her and her family. Juanita won more times than not. She was known for not having a poker face and being the first one to point out who had the old maid, and it wasn't her!

Juanita is survived by her daughter, Marla Olson of Jetmore, KS; sons, Darrell Tracy and wife Lynn, and Burell Tracy all of Phillipsburg;  4 grandchildren:  Carla Lowry of Jetmore, Denette Tracy of Covington, VA, Derek Olson and wife Katie and Connie Olson all of Jetmore, KS; 7 Great Grandchildren:  Zoe Lowry of Kansas City, MO, Sophie Lowry of Garden City, KS, Gabriel Applewhite and Blayne Applewhite of Covington, VA,  Caroline Olson, Shelby Olson, and Austin Olson of Jetmore, KS; brother Wilbur Rupke and wife Joan Rupke of Lexington, NE; sister in law Bernita Rupke of Lakin, KS; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Juanita was preceded in death by her husband Dana, parents, her brothers Henry, Ivan, Richard, Clarence, Hank, and Melvin, sisters Hendrine Bailey, Josephine DeWilde, and Irene Donnelly, and son-in-law Stacy Olson.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 22, 2025, in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Joel Hiesterman officiating.  The services will be live-streamed on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page.  Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Logan.

Mrs. Tracy will lie in state on Saturday and Sunday from Noon until 9 p.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips County Retirement Center.