Juanita Shurtleff

Juanita Delores Shurtleff, 83, died Friday, July 31, 2026 in Wichita, Kansas.

She was born on July 18, 1943 in Great Bend, Kansas, the second daughter of Ora Elton and Olive Rankin Shurtleff. In her younger years, she lived in various western Kansas towns as her father was transferred from job to job in the oil field industry. The family moved to Casper, Wyoming in 1952 where Nita, (as she was known by family and friends) learned to ride horses, enjoyed fishing for trout, and began her lifelong love of all animals, especially dogs and cats. After moving back to Wichita, Kansas, she was a student in the first class held in the new Wichita South High School, where she also was a majorette in the marching band: she graduated in 1961. Later, Nita attended Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma and studied in the business school.

For 30 years Nita worked for the C.I.A., traveling throughout the United States and the world. She worked as a secretary/analyst in Washington, D.C., several years in Brazil, and at the time of her retirement, in Florida.

Nita was a lover of popular culture, a fine ballroom dancer, and had an interest in government and history. After retiring from her C.I.A career, she started a dog grooming business in Orlando, FL and was quite successful in this endeavor.

Survivors include her brothers Kit Shurtleff of Wichita, Kent Shurtleff of Riverton, Wyoming; and her sister Ann McGrath of San Diego, California; along with several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, a brother-in-law, two sisters-in-law, and a nephew.

Graveside services will be held in Ashland, Kansas where she will be interred next to her parents.

Arrangements are by Affordable Cremations Plus, Wichita, Ks.