Juliane Pruitt

Lorna Juliane Pruitt was born June 11, 1940 in Kansas City, MO. She died late Wednesday, March 4, 2020 in Beloit, KS at the age of 79. Her parents were Cecil and Neva (Selleck) Pruitt. Juliane was a happy child. She started school in the first grade at Field School in Beloit under Dorothy Roberts. After that she attended Rogers' grade school in Beloit and graduated from the old brick and concrete Beloit Junior-Senior High School in 1958.

Her study in music started at a young age with piano lessons at the St. John's convent under Sister Anita Marie. Later through junior high and high school she studied both piano and flute under Paul Bohning. Her music education began at the University of Kansas in the fall of 1958. But she completed her undergraduate degree work in music education at Kansas State University in 1963.

Her first teaching position was at Alton (Kansas) High School. After one year she moved closer to Beloit and taught at Glasco for several years. When the school districts of Miltonvale and Glasco merged, Juliane started a private music studio in her mother's basement. After her mother died, the home became hers. Her studio grew and at one time had approximately 50 students. She taught piano, organ, flute, and guitar to many young people and several adults as well.

In the late 1960s, she took a leave from her private music studio and worked on a master's degree at Fort Hays State University, completing that degree in 1970. She then reopened her private studio in Beloit, which continued until her retirement. The only exception was her one year of post graduate study in 1988 at the University of Kansas.

She was a member and the organist at the First Presbyterian Church in Beloit for many years, which started when she was still in high school. She loved performing music and teaching it to others. She also organized an adult women's recorder ensemble that performed publicly on occasion.

Juliane loved to travel. She bought a small motor home in the late 1970s and traveled with a female friend to many places in the United States. She also traveled overseas to Italy, Germany, England, and Scotland, and also organized several trips that included groups. While in Yorkshire in Northern England, Juliane momentarily left her group and accidentally met the author James Wight, known under the pen name as James Herriot. They shared tea together.

Juliane was active in the Junior Miss competition for several years. She belonged to the local music club, participated in her professional music organizations, and was active in the Community Concert Series.

Juliane touched many lives through her music and various outside activities, and she remained in touch with most of her students and friends before placement in Hilltop Lodge.

She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Ruth Pruitt, Hays; two nephews, David (Nicola) and Douglas (Amy); and six grand nephews and nieces, Morgan, Daniel, Jennifer, Andrew, Helen, and Fiona Pruitt; as well as many cousins in the Beloit area, and a special friend, Vaughn Davidson of Bennington, Kansas.

Memorial services will be at 11 AM Friday, August 6, 2021 at the Beloit First Presbyterian Church followed by a luncheon. Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. Memorials may be given to Solomon Valley Hospice or the First Presbyterian Church Organ Fund.