Juanita Short

Juanita Z Short transitioned from her earthly home to the Lord’s presence on June 12, 2024. She was 93.

Juanita was born in Putnam, Oklahoma, December 31, 1930, the oldest of five children in the Towner family. She lived in Oklahoma until the age of 12; her first job being a cotton-picker for her dad, wearing striped overalls and cowboy boots.

The family moved to Salem, Oregon, in the early 40s where they bought a green bean farm. Juanita said that’s when she became a green-bean-picker during the war years.

Baptized at age 16 in Oregon, she was a lifelong member of the Community of Christ church. Her first singing experiences were at the community church and the school pie-suppers.

Her family moved to Aurora, Missouri, where in 1948 she graduated high school. Juanita attended her church-supported Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, for one year. She then earned her teaching certificate in Southern Missouri Jr College and taught in a one room school house with three of her siblings as students.

When visiting her college roommate in Seibert, Colorado, she met L.D. “Larry” Short and they married on June 17, 1951. They celebrated their 50th Anniversary in June 2001 by taking a cruise to Alaska. Larry worked with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, for 33 years.

They transferred to several Colorado towns: Burlington, Colorado Springs, Rocky Ford, Eads, Brighton, and moved to Delta in the spring of 1972.

Larry preceded her in death in November of 2007.

She is survived by her three children, Anthony Short (AnnaMarie) of Delta, CO, Shyree Kirkpatrick (Dick) of Orchard City, CO, and Zane Short (Genie) of San Diego, CA; and two grandchildren, Hannah and Jeremiah Short of San Diego, CA. 

Juanita worked as an AT&T telephone operator in Colorado Springs, a window dresser at the JC Penny store in Rocky Ford, and an elementary school secretary in Brighton. After the move to Delta, Juanita worked at the High-Quality produce line, the Russel Stover candy factory, and as a secretary for DMEA.

Juanita was a charter member of the DelRose chapter of the Sweet Adelines, a member of the Red Hats’ Club, and the Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) sorority.

She was involved in several community clubs such as the school PTA, a 4-H leader where she organized one of the first 4-H cooking clubs for boys, and the UFO club. She loved to travel. Juanita once backpacked in the San Juan Mountains with a group of 46 church members at the age of 48. She was a lay minister and held multiple positions in her church.

Her friends, co-workers and club members always said Juanita was the funniest person to be around because she made them laugh and told the best stories. Everyone who knew Juanita has a story of laughter. She was a character and a hoot.

As fun as Juanita was, she was even more generous. Numerous people have been the recipient of her generosity. 

Juanita was a fabulous cook, known for her mashed potatoes and pies; she cooked for many church functions and camps. She had been the camp cook for the Alpine Hunting Lodge near Cimarron for several hunting seasons.

Juanita not only loved to cook, she also loved to eat - food often being a main topic of conversation. Her favorite quotes: “I can’t imagine a life without pie” and “I like anything with pie in it.”

Juanita re-connected with her Oregon high school boyfriend, Mike Rolow, in 2008, at age 77. They spent the next 13 years together before he passed away.

There will be no services, but a private pie social will be held at a later date. 

Being a great cook (and enjoyer of food), donations can be made to Delta Food Pantry, PO Box 903, Delta (or any local food pantry in her honor) and also as a member of the Community of Christ, donations can be made to Big Spruce Church Camp, PO Box 23, Delta, CO, 81416.