Lajuana Johnson Vanek

She was born on January 18, 1940, in Pampa, Texas, to Ruth Quarles Johnson and David Henry Johnson. She attended high school in Vernon, Texas and met the love of her life, Billy Dee “Bill” Vanek. The two were married on August 27, 1956, and shared a beautiful life together. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She completed Cosmetology School in 1965 and had several self-owned salons. She later worked in the cafeteria at Iowa Park Junior High, where she enjoyed seeing the students each day. She was a proud lifetime member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) and a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Iowa Park.

Family was the center of LaJuana’s life. Her children include her son, Ricky Joe Vanek and wife, Elizabeth Fulfer Vanek and her daughter, Denette Vanek Fuentes and husband, Frank Fuentes. She was lovingly called “Maw” by her grandchildren whom she adored including Mindy Vanek Loyd and husband Eldron, Jennifer Vanek Moss and husband Clayton, the late Ricky Jason Vanek and wife Ashley, Morgan Faiella Smith and husband Wyman, and Jeremy Joseph Faiella and fiancé Madison Welch. She was also blessed with 15 great-grandchildren Corben, Brayden, Jaxon, Kirsten, Jenson, Aria, Alize’, Josie, Kloie, Grayson, Lillie, Hendrix, Joby, Katelyn, and Isaac, and 8 great-great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her immense joy. She was referred to as a second mother by her beloved nieces, nephews, and friends of her children and grandchildren and graciously opened her home to them. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bill, her parents Ruth and Henry Johnson, her grandson Jason Vanek, her great-granddaughter Alize’ Martinez, and her brothers H.C. Johnson, Bobby Johnson, and Darrell Johnson. She leaves behind her beloved children; grandchildren; her brother Doug Johnson and wife Linda Johnson, her nieces and nephews, and a host of family and friends who will miss her dearly.

LaJuana will be remembered for her beautiful smile and blue eyes that could light up any room and as a woman with a heart of gold. She was giving, loving, and always ready to welcome others. She had a gift for making everyone feel at home, whether through her cooking, her southern charm, or her lively spirit. She was the life of the party, she loved to dance, was a devoted friend, and a source of strength for her family.

A visitation with the family will be on Sunday, September 7, 2025 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at Dutton Funeral Home. A celebration of LaJuana’s life will be held on Monday, September 8, 2025 at 11:00 am at Dutton Funeral Home in Iowa Park, Texas. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, Iowa Park, Texas.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to all who have shown love and support during this time. The family requests that donations be made in her memory to her favorite charity that she worked many hours raising donations through the ESA sorority, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The family would also like to thank the staff at Hospice of Wichita Falls for their compassionate care during her illness.