Anita Marie Kanitz

Anita was born to Jay Oscar Springer and Mary Springer (nee Homan) in Orlando, Florida at home in an apartment above a local grocery store. She died suddenly at the age of 97 in her apartment in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Anita was raised in Lakeland, Florida where she nurtured her love of painting by earning an Art degree from Florida Southern College. Her dream was to be the illustrator for a botany publication.

 While working at The Terrace Hotel Lakeland, she met and fell in love with Roland Francis Kanitz. They married on May 14, 1952, and she moved to Wisconsin where Roland was employed by Bucyrus-Erie Corporation in the City of South Milwaukee. They eventually moved into a second floor flat in the home where Roland had grown up and had been built by Roland’s father. It was there, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (WELS), where Anita was baptized. Anita and Roland had three children. As they raised their children, Anita also took on the responsibility of caring for Roland’s ailing parents who lived in the lower flat. Roland’s seven siblings and their families were hosted by Anita at the family home for many years as their parents aged and even after their passing. When her family had grown up and moved on with life, the home continued to be a gathering place for them and the extended family. One such event was preparing for and hosting a wedding service for her son and daughter-in-law in the living room and dining room. Eventually, Anita’s mother, who also was requiring some care, moved from Florida to live out her last years with Anita and Roland. And then, Roland, being 18 years older than Anita, began to age placing Anita in another caretaker role until he passed away in 1996.

 After Roland retired in 1976, Anita worked outside the home at The Voice Journal local newspaper pasting advertisements and articles for publication. Then at a stain glass art company, also in South Milwaukee. Anita and Roland were members of American Legion Post/Auxiliary 27 in South Milwaukee. There, Anita worked (volunteered) in the kitchen hosting meals for a variety of events from Bingo to Wedding Receptions. Together, they frequently travelled to District and State American Legion Conventions and Events even marching in the parades. Anita served a term as President of the Auxiliary Unit. Devoting time and energy to Zion’s Women’s Guild enriched her life in many ways. Combining her artistic talents and ingenuity with sewing created clothing for their kids and tablecloths, table runners and placemats that have become family heirlooms. Quilting, crocheting, and knitting were other pastimes for her to express and share her artistic abilities.

 Anita had a deep interest in genealogy and became a member of the Milwaukee County Genealogical Society. She participated in many local events and learned methods of researching and recording family histories. She spent many hours at the Milwaukee Central Library Archives and even made two trips to Salt Lake City to do research at the FamilySearch Library. Anita has accumulated a massive collection of family documents and letters.

 In 2005, Anita sold the home built by her father-in-law and moved to La Crosse to live near her oldest daughter and family. She joined the congregation at Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church (WELS) worshipping and participating in many events including Grandparent’s Day at the school. She continued her interest in genealogy and joined a local chapter of TOPS where she met many wonderful people and made deep friendships travelling to regional events.

 Anita and Roland enjoyed travelling. When their family was young, every other year, they would all pile into the sedan and drive to Florida to reconnect with Anita’s parents, her two younger brothers, sister-in-law, and her three young nieces. They also travelled throughout Wisconsin visiting Roland’s family members. Over the years, Anita also made several trips to Cape May, New Jersey where her parents both hailed from and where many aunts, uncles and cousins still lived. When Roland retired in 1976 after 50 years of working at Bucyrus-Erie Corporation, they were treated to a round trip thank you flight to Indianapolis on the company’s Learjet for a recognition dinner. That summer of 1976, they took a six-week road trip across the northern tier of continental US to the west coast, then down the west coast to southern California, and eventually back to Wisconsin. As frequently as they could, visiting their children and children’s spouses took them to Mobile, Alabama; Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; Waukegan, Illinois; Escondido, California; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Bath, Maine; and La Crosse, Wisconsin. After Roland’s passing, Anita continued to travel with her two genealogy research trips to Salt Lake City and more trips to Florida. At the age of 95, she rode along as a passenger to meet a younger brother in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Anita always enjoyed drives across the entire expanse of her beloved country or just across town.

 Anita was predeceased by her husband, her parents and one daughter, Lana Ray. Survivors are children Patt (Kevin) Cook and Richard (Linette) Kanitz, grandchildren Garrett Ray, Harrison (Massi Booncherd) Cook, Mitchell (Madison Snarr) Cook, and Clark (Stephanie O’Dell) Ray, and son-in-law Keith Ray. She is further survived by brothers Jay (Mary) Springer and John (Helen) Springer; nieces Jayne (Tom) Couch, Sharon (Floyd) Freeman, and Sandy (Jon) Ryan; and numerous nieces and nephews from Roland’s side of the family. She was also predeceased by sisters-in-law Lynn Springer and Linda Springer.

 Services will be at Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church (16th and Park Streets, La Crosse) on Saturday, October 19th, 2024, with visitation at 9:30 am until the beginning of the Christian Funeral order of worship at 11:00 am conducted by Rev. Robert Wassermann. A luncheon will be served immediately after the service in the school gymnasium. A graveside ceremony will be conducted on Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024, at Forest Hill Memorial Park in South Milwaukee with burial next to her husband Roland.

 Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services are assisting. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and may be directed toward Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mount Calvary-Grace Lutheran School or the Wounded Warrior Project.