Blue Springs, MO: Anita Louise Taraba passed away at the age of 84, on Monday, February 6th, 2023 in Blue Springs, Missouri. Louise (She always went by her middle name.) was born in Ridgeway, MO on March 26, 1938 to George and Hester (McQuerry) Taraba. The Tarabas farmed in North Missouri but moved to Kansas City, Missouri when Louise was about 13 years old where Louise went to Center High School. In 1954 the family moved to a farm in Knob Noster, Missouri where Louise graduated from Knob Noster High School. Louise moved back to Kansas City to start her career in Business Men’s Assurance where she worked for 30 years as an underwriter. Upon retirement, she started selling items at flea markets and had her own shop in a market near Neosho, Missouri. Louise was also a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and became leader of Children of the American Revolution and declared those were the happiest years of her life. Louise was an inveterate gardener with an obvious green thumb. At her house in Independence, Missouri where she lived for over 20 years, her yard was ablaze with flowers, and her backyard she produced the best tomatoes, onions, chard, green beans, basil, and parsley.
Louise’s greatest pleasure was her genealogical work for both Taraba and McQuerry tracing back many generations. She filled almost 30 large binders of her work and was still working on both sides when she became too ill to continue.
Louise was preceded in death by her parents George Taraba and Hester (McQuerry) Piper Taraba; her brother Larry Taraba; her step-father Donald Piper; her step-mother Neomia Taraba, and her brother-in-law, Carter Hart III.
Louise is survived by her brother, Terry Taraba and sister-in-law, Jackie Taraba; nieces, Teresa Jo Taraba and Marsha Christine (Taraba) Rhodes; sister Lavon (Taraba) Hart; nephew Justin Daniel Taraba Hart and his wife Golda Goodheart Hall; her great-nieces, Ada Belle Hart and Lea Carter Hart.
The family suggests memorials to: Wounded Warriors, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or St Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Louise always said if she had a lot of money it would be those causes she would support.
Louise’s ashes will be scattered on her grave and her mother’s (Hester Piper) grave in Knob Noster Cemetery. Date to be decided later, but it will be sometime in the last two weeks of September, 2023. Her Graveside services will be officiated by Chaplain Paula Isgrig from Crossroads Hospice Independence, Missouri, who was a dear support for Louise during her last days.
Memorial Service will be held September 21st 2:00 pm at Knob Noster Cemetery, Knob Noster, Missouri.