Juanita "Nita" Belle Strlekar was born on February 19, 1938 and passed away on September 28, 2015 at the age of 77 in Laguna Hills, CA. She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Jon Strlekar: a son, Michael Strlekar, his wife Kelli and their children Charles and Emily of Verona, NJ: a daughter Kimberly Strlekar of Belmont Shores, CA: a brother Howard Runyan, his wife Elena, of LaPalma, CA.

Born in Pasadena, Nita grew up in South Gate, CA. After graduating from Western State College in Gunnison, CO, she decided on a career in education. She spent over 30 years as an elementary and middle school teacher for the Los Angeles School District. It was while teaching at Miles Avenue Elementary that she met her husband, Jon. The two were married in 1964 and settled in Norwalk, CA. After Michael and Kimberly were born they moved to Downey, CA were they spent 25 years. As empty nesters, they moved to Laguna Woods, where they have lived for the past 16 years.

Nita took up golf late in life, just to keep up with Jon & Michael, but it became a passion for her. She loved Ladies day at the Laguna Woods Golf Course when she gathered with her friends for a friendly but competitive round. She also loved reading, crossword puzzles and her Sunday afternoons with Kim.

The funeral mass will be Friday October 2nd at 10am at Corpus Christi Church, 27231 Aliso Viejo Parkway, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656. In lieu of flowers, we ask that a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation be made.