Obituary: ROGERS, JUANITA

Juanita Taft Rogers23 Aug. 1934 ~ 7 Feb. 2013After battling recurrent cancer, Juanita Taft Rogers succumbed to the disease early on the morning of February 7th in Redondo Beach, CA. She passed peacefully in her sleep and was surrounded by family and friends in her final days on this earth.Born the fourth of six children to Milton Lee Taft Sr. and Lavern Forsythe Taft in Bicknell, Utah, Juanita's life was one of leadership, accomplishment, and steadfast work. From the early honors of small-town Utah like Wayne County rodeo queen and graduating valedictorian of Wayne High School's class of 1953, Juanita went on to graduate from Brigham Young University, with honors; where she competed as a Cougarette, varsity basketball player and held class office and various other leadership positions. Married in 1958 to James Keith Rogers of Blanding, Utah, Juanita raised a family of four children, while becoming a skilled school teacher, a talented choreographer/dance leader, and real-estate developer. Through it all, Juanita honored the heritage of the Taft family, nurtured a Mensa-level intellect, and easily deployed a rapier wit."Mrs. R." will long be remembered by the accomplished dance teams she led at BY High (the "High Steppers") and Duchesne High School as well as Dixie College. The choir in Oak Hills Second Ward never shone brighter than with "Sister R" at the helm, demanding excellence.In later years, Juanita's life was punctuated by both joy and tragedywith the birth of five grandchildren, whom she loved and tirelessly mentored, and the unfortunate death of her oldest daughter, Lisa Rogers Bullock, PhD. in 1996 - the latter with whom she now shares a grateful reunion. A devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she held a variety of creative and leadership positions and passed from this world with the sure knowledge of her eternal journey.Sister Rogers is survived by Dr. J. Keith Rogers, PhD. of Albion, ID and three children; Taft Rogers of Boise, ID, Dr. Tiffany Rogers, M.D. of Redondo Beach, CA and Courtney Rogers of Simi Valley, CA, her six beloved grandchildren, and three siblings; Cuela Taft Ecker, Milton Lee Taft Jr. and Dixie Taft Bolwer. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 15, 2013 in the Berg Drawing Room Chapel, 185 East Center Street, Provo, Utah. Friends may call at the mortuary Thursday evening from 6 until 8. Interment, Bicknell Cemetery, Bicknell, Utah. Condolences may be emailed to info@bergmortuary.com.