Juanita Baltierrez

Juanita Martina Baltierrez (nee Rodriquez) was born October 3, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois to Anastacio Abad and Josefa Rodriquez. Juanita’s mother died when she was a young girl. Her father, a baker by trade, then moved the family to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1944 when the American Bakery opened. The family joined the very active Hispanic community and Juanita and her siblings made friends in the community and at school. Bright, pretty, and outgoing, Juanita excelled in school, skipping two grades. She graduated at 16 from South High School in Grand Rapids.

She met Jose Hernandez at a dance. They married in July 1950 and started a family in their first house on Marcia Street in Wyoming, Michigan. This neighborhood would be the family base for more than thirty years. They had three children Jose, Anita and Alicia. Juanita was tragically widowed at 28 years of age to support her family she began working at Lear Siegler in Grand Rapids.

Several years later, Juanita met Robert Baltierrez at a dance and they married on August 26, 1961. Robert, a young widowered himself, brought two children, Bobby and Brenda, into the family. Their original home was quite crowded with two adults and five children. Wanting to stay in their neighborhood, Bob and Juanita, bought a similar but larger home across the street. The family grew and prospered here, with all the children attending Godwin Public Schools. Bob and Juanita were happily married for 62 years.

Robert’s entrepreneurial spirit drew him to the restaurant business and the Taco Boy restaurant began in 1967. Juanita continued to work at Lear Siegler, but when the restaurant was successful, she retired and began helping her husband at Taco Boy. Still successful, and now owned by daughter Anita, all of her children and most of her grandchildren have worked at the restaurant. Juanita’s first love is her family, so this made her especially happy. Nearing retirement age, Bob and Juanita bought a home on a golf course in Weslaco, Texas. They spent their winters there, and summers in Michigan.

Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the love of her life. Next to her family, Juanita loved cooking. Every family member anticipated the next delivery of frijoles and freshly made flour tortillas. Tamale making for Christmas would bring the entire family to her home where 20 plus children and grandchildren would assemble more than 200 tamales, with Juanita smiling and overseeing the process. This tradition continues.

Juanita was a matriarch of this family and will be dearly missed by her husband Robert, and children; Jose (Lynne) Hernandez, Anita Heavner, Lee Ten Brink (Chuck), and Robert Baltierrez (Kris) and Grandchildren: Lisa Hernandez Landis (Mike), Sarah Deemter (Tom), Morgan Case (Tom), Kirstin Damstra (Fred), Brian Heavner (Stephanie), Tara Keur (Josh), Sue Johnson (Tyler), Christina Postma (Chris), Corey Baltierrez (Fran), Robbie Baltierrez (Florence), Michael Gibson and many great grandchildren. She is survived by brother, Ruperto Rodriquez (Barb) and special friend, Linda Davis. She was predeceased by her parents, Anastacio Abad and Josefa Rodriquez, sisters Angelina and Maria Rodriquez, daughter Brenda Baltierrez, and son in law, Doug Heavner. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren meant the world to her.

A service to remember Juanita will be held on Tuesday June 25, 2024, at ResLife Church 5100 Ivanrest Ave SW, Grandville, MI 49418, at 11:00 am, Juanita’s service will be held in the Res Center please use entrance E or H. Friends may visit with Juanita’s family one hour before the service from 10 – 11 AM. Memorials in Juanita’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Association or the American Diabetes Association. To read Juanita’s obituary, sign her guest book, or leave a memory please visit her memory page at www.heritagelifestory.com