Juanita "Kinky" (Baij) Werner

“On the early morning of June 18th, the world lost one of the most giving, sincere, and loving persons to ever walk this planet.  She brought up two children on her own, working at menial jobs, but those children never lacked for food, clothing, or love that one person could give.  I know, my name is Robert Belfry, I am her son.  This is one of the hardest writings I have ever done because there is a big hole in my heart with her passing.

In 1966, my mother gave my sister, Susan Belfry, one of her kidneys in order to save her life.  Due to complications, my sister passed away and we were both devastated.  As usual, time heals all wounds, and as luck would have it, she would have a friendship, relationship, and marriage to William A. Werner.  She finally got her break in life.  Bill provided for her the life she deserved.  Then on July 12, 2009, Bill suddenly passed without any warning.  Sad days were ahead, but as resilient as she was, she carried on with her life as she always has done.  Still a giving, sincere, and loving person up until her passing on the early hours of June 18, 2023.  The day the world lost an angels and heaven gained one.”

Kinky is survived by her son Robert Belfry; his daughter and son-in-law Danielle and Tim Hoeft; stepson Paul Werner; special nephew Tom Baij, special niece Betty Demorest; many other nieces and nephews; and close friends Bonnie Fulcher and Sue Gauthier.  Kinky was also preceded in death by her parents Victor and Ebba (Gunborg) Baij and siblings Isobel, Niama, Mary, Ethel, and Hans.

A special thank you to Paul and Karin Gollinger, Patsy LaCombe, and Debbie Perttula for all of the assistance and friendship in the past few years.

Visitation will be on Friday, October 6, 2023 from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. at Eden Lutheran Church.  Kinky’s memorial service will begin at 3:00 p.m.  Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery.