Bessie “Juanita” McBee Johnson Nusbaum was born in Van Wert, Iowa, on August 29, 1924 and passed away peacefully at Independence Village in Waukee, Iowa, on December 5, 2021. She was the youngest of three children of Marjorie and Ralph McBee. Juanita grew up in Ellston, Iowa, where she played varsity basketball as an 8th Grader. She often referred to herself as a “mean” player because she was determined to not let the older players “push her around.” She remained an avid sports fan the rest of her life, often relishing wagers on teams with her relatives.
After high school Juanita married Warren Johnson and together then had one son, Calvin “Pete” Johnson. When Warren returned from WW II, after serving with the 1st Marine division in the Pacific, the family settled in West Des Moines where Juanita enjoyed being a homemaker, mother, and eventual grandmother to Pete’s ten children. She and Warren enjoyed many good times with friends and family as “river rats” at Birdland Marina where they fished and picnicked.
After Warren passed away, Juanita married Wilmer Nusbaum and the moved to Gladstone, Missouri. They enjoyed many winters in Islamorada, Florida. When Wilmer passed away, Juanita returned to the Des Moines area and was looked after by her grandson, Sam, until she developed dementia and moved to Independence Village in Waukee. Juanita was a caring person and was loved by many.
Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, she sister (and best friend) Vivian, her brother Ralph, first husband Warren, second husband Wilmer, son Peter, infant grandson Jefferson, and stepson Dwain.
Left to cherish her memory are grandchildren (and families of) Sam, Charlie, Annie, Jake, Sara, Maggie, Bernard, Ernie Luke, as well as two nephews and a niece.
Funeral services will be 1 pm on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please give a donation to a charity of your choice.
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