Juanita Larsen

Juanita Larsen, known to family and friends as Nita, and Nis to her grandchildren, passed away on October 19, 2026, at the age of 91. A private memorial service will be held. 

Nita was born on October 3, 1935, in Toledo, Ohio, to Kenneth and Gwyneth Marie (Douglas) Bargahiser. After growing up in Toledo, Zanesville, and then Mansfield, Ohio, she altended and graduated from Ohio University. In 1958, she married Dr. Russell Larsen: they were together until his passing in 2011. 

Nita spent her long career as a medical technologist, working in hospitals in Chicago, IL; College Station. TX; Reno, NV; Ann Arbor. MI; and lastly at University Medical Center Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, TX, before retiring to Waco with Russ in 2000. 

She dabbled in many different hobbies over the course of her life. She enjoyed walking, traveling, doing jigsaw puzzles and cross stitch, but especially spending time with her family. With Russ, she was active in the Waco chapter of the Sons of Norway; she was also an avid fan of Baylor University Lady Bears basketball.

Nita is survived by children Erik Larsen of Jacksonville, Forida and Suzan (Larsen) Martin of Hewit, TX: grandchildren Jordan Martin of Mart, TX and Ryan Martin of Hewit, TX; one great-grandchild; brother lack Bargahiser of Mansfield, Ohio, sister Jean (husband Alan) of Panama City, Florida; four nieces Amy Bargahiser (husband Mo) of Mansfield, Ohio; Heidi Woods (husband Tim) of Amanda, Ohio; Alana Balsters- Waddell (husband Doug) of Panama City, Florida; Melissa Hughes-Lawley of Flowery Branch, Georgia; nephews Mark Lange (wife Karla) of Muskegon, Michigan; Paul Lange (wife Karen Frank) of Waterford, Michigan; and longtime friends Ann Kelly and Bob & Sue Mock. 

The family wishes to thank the staff at Lynridge of Waco Assisted Living and Memory Care for the outstanding care Nita received during her last few years. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Nita's name toward cancer research or Alzheimer's/memory research are requested.