Juanita C. " Nita " Leaver

A woman who never focused on building wealth according to the worlds measure, Juanita Leaver demonstrated that it is through loving and giving to others that we are truly rich beyond measure. She was a faith-filled woman whose greatest treasure on this side of heaven was the family she shared with the love of her life. Nita was a teacher who was passionate about touching the hearts of every child who walked through her classroom door - an extraordinary teacher if ever there was one. She was community minded, too, and as a result her kind and generous touch extended to so many others within her reach. A genuine gift in every sense of the word, Nita leaves behind a collection of memories that will be a priceless treasure for generations to come. The entire decade of the thirties was cloaked in hardship due to the unrelenting grip of the Great Depression. The unemployment rate soared to over 25 percent while people did whatever they could to make themselves happy. Big band music saturated the airwaves, and readers escaped into the world created by authors like Agatha Christie while movies provided a different outlook on life, too, even if only for a few hours. Nestled within this trying time there was much to celebrate in the lives of one young family from Anderson, Indiana, as they were blessed with the birth of a healthy baby girl on October 15, 1932. Baby Juanita was the second of three children born to her parents, William and Josephine (Nyblade) Gates, joined in her family by her older sister, Phyllis, and her younger brother, William, Jr. In 1934 the Gates family moved to Casnovia, Michigan, where she was raised on the family farm. In many ways Nita, as she was most often known, experienced a childhood that was rather typical for young people of her generation. She attended Casnovia Elementary and was also responsible for helping clean the house. It was during her formative years that Nita developed her lifelong passion for floral arranging. She always did well in school, loved sewing and participated in the local 4-H, and took piano lessons. By the time she was 11 years old Nita worked at a local restaurant, and her high school years found her at Kent City High School where she played basketball, was a cheerleader, and also served as a teachers aid. Like many other young people her age Nita loved to dance and often went to dances at the Casnovia Auditorium. Not to be forgotten during her years as a young woman was Nitas introduction to the young man who stole her heart. His name was Dan Leaver, and they met in high school in 1946. At first their relationship centered on friendship, but over time this blossomed into a dating relationship. After graduating from high school in 1950 Nita went on to Central Michigan University where she was on the homecoming court while Dan entered the Army in 1951. She worked all through college in addition to holding down her studies. Nita graduated from Central Michigan in 1954. Deeply in love, Nita and Dan were married on August 7, 1954, at Casnovia Methodist Church. The newlyweds soon moved to Alma where Dan attended college while Nita taught school. Not long after, they welcomed their daughter, Angie, in 1955. Four years later their family was completed with the birth of their daughter, Sally, in 1959. This same year Nita and her family moved to Fruitport where Nita focused on being a mother and also taught kindergarten. Their family moved one last time in 1962 to the home they built at 290 2nd Avenue in Fruitport. Throughout her life Nita had a diverse palette of interests. She was a longtime member of Fruitport Congregational United Church of Christ where she was actively involved in a variety of programs including as a Sunday school teacher, childrens choir director, and as a member of womens fellowship. Nita was also actively involved in her community through her many volunteer efforts and as a charter member of the Fruitport Lioness Club. An expert in floral arranging, she was a member of the Muskegon County Garden Club since 2003.She received the Artistry and Design Award in 2004 and the Designers Choice Award in 2006. Nita also continued to teach, spending 25 years teaching kindergarten for Fruitport Public Schools until she retired in 1988. Since she loved to sew Nita made many of the clothes her girls wore, and she was also a 4-H leader and a Brownie leader for several years. Holidays were always a special time of year in Nitas home as she went all out in decorating her home in celebration of all the various holidays every year. In 1967 Nita and Dan purchased a cabin on Bass Lake, and she also enjoyed camping and canoeing in addition to trips to Florida, California, and to see the Rose Bowl. She loved spending time in her garden and canned much of her plentiful yield, too. During her sunset years Nita embraced both the peaks and valleys that came her way. She was delighted to become a grandmother to four wonderful grandchildren who were the light of her life including Joey, Calder, Hannah, and Laurel. From the time they were born Nita looked forward to spending as much time with her grandchildren as she could. It was also a highlight when she and Dan were named king and queen during Fruitport Old Fashioned Days. Difficult days were in store for Nita with the death of her sister, Phyllis, in 1992 with whom she was very close. It was another difficult transition when she said goodbye to her lifelong dear friend, Jane Lautner, in 2000. Nita also struggled with health challenges of her own including back issues that led to necessary surgery in 2005, and in 2007 she underwent knee replacement. Both surgeries took a major toll on Nita, and she was never the same. In May of last year she was officially diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. Through the life of Juanita Leaver we are reminded that each day is a gift to spend with those we love. She enjoyed so many things through the years, but nothing brought her more happiness than spending time with the family she loved more than life itself. Nita will be deeply missed, but her legacy of faith, selfless generosity, and unconditional love will be carried on by those who follow her. Juanita C. "Nita" Leaver died Friday, March 2, 2012. Nitas family includes her husband, Dan; 2 daughters, Angelyn Leaver (Kevin Burgam) of Norton Shores and Sally (Duane) Saheb of Fruitport; 4 grandchildren, Joey (Brendan), Calder, Laurel & Hannah; 1 brother, William (Diane) Gates of TX; several nieces & nephews; and brother-in-law, Jack Leaver of Holland. Nita was preceded in death by her sister, Phyllis Zufelt and sister-in-law, Norma Leaver. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 11, 2012, 3:00 p.m. and visitation 1 hour prior to the service at Fruitport Congregational United Church of Christ with Pastor Don Wood officiating. Memorials may be made to Harbor Hospice, Fruitport Congregational U.C.C., or Fruitport Lioness Club. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.