Juanita I. Hanika

Juanita I. Hanika, 81 passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 14th, 2019.  Nita was born on November 14th, 1937 to Mark and Iris Hanika in Shubert Nebraska and moved to Topeka in 1945.  She attended Highland Park High School.

Nita married George Behymer in 1956.  They had three children, Kirk (Missy), Shari Brandenburgh, and Mitch Behymer (Susan) all of Topeka.  They were later divorced.  Nita has 5 beautiful granddaughters, Jessica Martin, Stephanie Elder, Tracie Nelson, Rachel Schumacher, and Ashleigh Brandenburgh and 9 great grandchildren, Cayden Martin, Brodie Schumacher, Isabel Elder, Braeden Schumacher, Braelyn Nelson, Charlie Elder, Brista Schumacher, Zane Nelson, and Kinley Elder.

She later met her "Tall Paul" who she spent many years with just enjoying life.

Nita enjoyed singing with local bands at Croco Square, VFW and the American Legion Post 400.  She loved to play Bingo and to dance with her "Tall Paul".  She was a huge fan of Betty Boop and had a huge collection of her memorabilia.  She loved hanging out at get togethers with her family and had 1,003 jokes that she would tell to entertain.

Nita is preceded in death by both parents, sister Patricia Fields and brother, Raymond Hanika, and survived by one brother, Mark Hanika.

Please join us for a Celebration of her Life, on Friday, April 19th, 2019 at Garfield Shelter House beginning with a short service at 11:00 am and a dinner to follow.