Juanita "Nita" Dura
October 2, 1936 ~ January 8, 2020
Nita Dura, 83, formerly of Jamestown, N.D., died Jan. 8, 2020, in Fargo, N.D., from complications from dementia. Juanita June Payne was born Oct. 2, 1936, in Argusville, N.D., to Percy and Estella (Keating) Payne. Stella died in 1938 from meningitis, and Nita was afterward adopted and raised by her aunt and uncle, Ella and Bill Erickson. Nita graduated from Argusville High School in 1954. She married her high school sweetheart, Arthur Dura, on Nov. 12, 1954, in Fargo. Art was an architect and engineer. Their family lived in Cooperstown, Fargo, Harwood, Argusville and Fergus Falls before moving in 1966 to Jamestown, where they raised their four children: Holly Kay, Mike, Bob and Jim. Nita earned an associate’s in business from Valley City State University and later obtained her Realtor’s license.
Art and his “Honey Ball” were a fun couple. They enjoyed parties, dancing, riding motorcycle, flying planes, Sunday gatherings with family, fishing and trips to Canada. Halloween was their favorite holiday. Art died Oct. 24, 1993. Nita continued to live in Jamestown, and worked as a successful Realtor. Her family and friends enjoyed many weekends at “Grandma D’s RV park” in the lot behind her home. Nita was a natural redhead. She beat cancer three times, first when she was 30. She had a great, infectious laugh. She supported Relay for Life, Jamestown Clowns, Shriners and other organizations. She enjoyed bridge, dice and card games and was active in church life. She didn’t like cats or mice or the birds that nested on the side of her house. She retired in 2014 and moved to Fargo in 2016.
Nita was a vibrant, classy, well dressed woman, a loving family member and a dear friend. She will be missed, but Art and Nita are having a joyous reunion.
Nita was preceded in death by her biological and adoptive parents, husband Art, brothers Doug Payne and Robert Erickson and special friend Don Legrid. She is survived by her children: Holly Dura, Michael (Arlene) Dura, Robert (Rebecca) Dura and Jim (Jane) Dura; 9 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, brother Gordon (Doris Jean) Erickson and numerous relatives and friends.
Visitation is from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020 at Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. Cremation has taken place. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Fargo.
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I will so miss my dear friend . She will be happy now The struggle she had the past year’s with her health was more than difficult. I have so many wonderful memories after 50 years of friendship.
I send my love and prayers.
I am so sorry to hear about Nita. It was such a shock hearing about this just now. We’ve been good friends for so many years and she will be truly missed. I’m keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.
A lovely lady I am glad to have known.
Nana you will be missed I wish I had gotten to know you better then I did. I will always remember coming to visit you and looking at all the teddy bears and at the Jamestown house exploring the basement and always finding cool treasures that you or my mom would have a story to go with it. I love you so much and am happy you are finally with Papa Art and are always watching over us all. Love you always your granddaughter Jenny
So sad to hear about Nita. I babysat a couple of times when they lived in Argusville. Pretty lady. Sympathies to all.
So sorry for passing of Nita. Art and my husband Mickey were in the service together and When I Got with Mickey Holler I Met Them in1953. Fun times together. RIP Nita and give Mickey a hug from me.
I am sorry to hear about Nita. I’ll always remember her smile.She was a very good friend of mine. Sympathies to all her family.
So sorry for your families loss. We rented from Nita and lived next to her in her townhouse in Jamestown . She was the sweetest gal with a generous heart. She always came over on Halloween and brought the girls a treat as she was involved in an activity at church and wouldn’t be home to see them. You are in our families thoughts and prayers.
Nita was my lifelong dear friend.
We played together as babies (so said my Mother Cora Buzick). We were dear friends all through school and high school and again as young Mothers. She has been on my mind again during the last few months. I was missing her!! I so wished that I could have talked with her again before she was impaired so much. Love and prayers go out to her family and friends.
I’m sorry for your loss. I was with my mom when she found out the news and I can tell you that she will really be missed. My mom has been reminiscing about many memories she shared with Nita. They had quite a few adventures. I am keeping your family in my prayers.
My sympathies to the Dura family. As a “Schorsch kid,” I have many fond memories of observing my parents having a wonderful time with their life long friends. Thinking of you all.
Our sympathy to the family. Nita was a lovely lady & always so friendly!
I have many wonderful memories of Art and Nita having fun with my mom & dad Dan and Sherrill. They were part of that fun card-playing, dancing, clubbing and hunting group. They are smiling and looking down on us now… take care of each other.
My mom sure enjoyed their Sunday mornings at Perkins visiting for hours. They also enjoyed their Monday night dinners together and watching “Dancing with the Stars.” I know mom missed those visits after Nita moved to Fargo. Our thoughts are with you all.