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Diane Juracek Obituary

Diane Bannerman Juracek, 68, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2025, at Neuvant House in Lawrence, Kansas. The cause of death was Alzheimer's.

She was born on April 14, 1957, in Rochester, New York. Following a brief stay in Michigan, she grew up in Chatsworth, California.

After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology (magna cum laude) in 1979 from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California, she worked at Camarillo State Hospital which served people with both mental illness and developmental disabilities. Then she was off to Lawrence, Kansas, and the University of Kansas to attend graduate school. While there she earned her Master of Arts degree in Human Development in 1987. She went on to earn her PhD in Developmental and Child Psychology in 1991.

During her graduate school years she began working for Community Living Opportunities (CLO) (now GoodLife Innovations), a nonprofit organization that serves adults with developmental disabilities and children with autism. She worked for CLO for more than 30 years serving in various capacities including as a Direct Support Professional (teacher), Director of Behavioral Services, and Director of Training and Quality Assurance. She was a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst.

In 1990 she married Kyle Juracek. They had a wonderful life together.

Diane was an amazing person. She was always positive, always smiling, and always eager to help people. She was also a wonderful loving wife and mother. The world was a better place because she was in it.

She is survived by her husband Kyle Juracek (Lawrence, Kansas), her son Brandon Juracek (Kansas City, Missouri), her brother Brett Bannerman (Canyon Country, California), her brother Mike Bannerman (Saugus, California), and her brother Craig Bannerman (Valencia, California).

There will be a Celebration of Life for Diane on July 12, 2025, from 3-5 pm, at Arterra in Lawrence, Kansas.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on May 13, 2025.

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Hannah (Juracek), James & Quinn Kuzelka

July 13, 2025

Diane was truly a light in every room-always greeting you with a warm smile and the kind of hug that made you feel instantly at home. I carry so many beautiful memories of her from our times together in Colorado, Oregon, holidays, and beyond. She had a way of making every moment brighter, and her joy was contagious. Diane was a magnificent person in every sense of the word, and I find comfort in knowing my dad is surely making her laugh in heaven now. Thinking of you, Kyle and Brandon.

Danielle Juracek

July 12, 2025

Aunt Diane was truly such an amazing person . Her kindness and smile would brighten any room. Our hearts are with her family right now. We love you all and are sending nothing but warm thoughts and condolences.

Love, Derek, Dani, and Redmond

Terry Sprenger

July 12, 2025

Diane was truly a wonderful person! I enjoyed getting to know her at our family reunions. I am so very sorry for your loss

Char and John Helgesen

May 14, 2025

Dear Kyle and family, We are so saddened to learn of Diane's passing. We always felt a close connection to you two. We remember playing Campus Ministry softball with both of you (when you were single)! And of course, you and John both worked at the USGS. And we enjoyed our church friendship also. Diane's vibrant personality was a gift she generously shared. May her memory be a blessing to everyone who knew her!

Jim Putnam

May 14, 2025

So sorry to hear about Diane's passing. Our thoughts are with you and Brandon. Jim and Debi Putnam

Aubrey

May 13, 2025

Though, I am 20 years removed from the KU/Lawrence scene these days, I LOVE to see this pic of Diane. It is exactly how I remember her.

Diane oversaw my undergrad practicum in Applied Behavioral studies my senior year at KU... additionally, had the pleasure of experiencing her at CLO.

She was patiently brilliant. She was much smarter than most - but of course would never let on in that regard. She was extremely humble. She was so kind and genuine.

She approached situations with thoughtfulness, but also had a way of subtly standing her ground on things she knew to be true and fair.

This world was certainly a better place with her in it- my thoughts and prayers to family and friends. RIP, sweet Di.

Julie Rea

May 13, 2025

My son grew up playing in the same sports as Brandon. I always felt so welcome when I sat with Diane at games. Brandon is still friends with Adam to this day. I am grateful to her and Kyle for bringing up such a wonderful young man. So sorry for your loss. R.I.P. Diane.

Donna Kane-Swan

May 13, 2025

Diane was the essence of joy. How lucky I was to have known her. She will be missed.

John K. Stamer

May 13, 2025

Kyle, sorry to hear about your loss of Diane. I remember when I last saw you at Genesis you were taking early retirement. You and Diane will be added to my prayers.

Brad

May 13, 2025

When I began a new phase of life, I told Diane how much I noticed her happiness and positivity. She looked at me and said, "I wouldn't be any other way! Embrace life and choose to be happy." That stuck with me. It was the first time I understood that happiness isn´t something that happens to us, it´s a choice we make.

That perspective also shaped so much of the work we did together. Diane didn´t just talk about kindness and joy, she lived it. Whether we were working through challenges or celebrating wins, she always brought a sense of lightness and purpose. She had a way of reminding everyone around her that we could do hard things and still lead with heart.

I have many memories of Diane, but this one stands out to me personally and has stayed with me over the years. I remain deeply grateful to have crossed paths with her, not just for what I gained academically or professionally, but for the way she showed up with such warmth, compassion, and generosity. Her humanity was a gift.

Thank you, Diane, for welcoming me, seeing me, and encouraging me to be the best version of myself. You´ll be missed more than words can express, but your light carries on in all of us lucky enough to know you.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Ivo Ivanov and Jamie Price

Planted Trees

Jamie Price

May 13, 2025

Dear Kyle and Brandon,

I´ve been thinking about you both so much. I´m heartbroken over the loss of Di. She was truly one of the most gracious and caring people I´ve ever known. There was something so genuine about the way she carried herself-always thoughtful, always kind, and always putting others before herself.

Di had a quiet strength and a warmth that made people feel safe and loved. The impact she had on those around her is something that can´t be measured. She will be remembered always, not just for what she did, but for the way she made people feel.

Her spirit will stay with us-in memories, in the way we care for one another, and in the little things that remind us of her. Sending you both love and strength in this incredibly hard time.

With all my heart,

Jamie

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