Betty J. Van Kleek

Betty J. (Juanita) Van Kleek

Juanita passed away peacefully at Tacoma General Hospital on December 27, 2011 after a short battle with lymphoma. She was born in Springdale, AR on December 30, 1930 as the oldest child of Bertha and James Fredrick. Her childhood was spent in Scammon, KS and later in Tieton, WA where she met her future husband while working in the apple orchards. Juanita and Gordon were married on August 3, 1947 in Adna, WA. They lived in Chehalis, later moving to Auburn where they raised their family. Juanita’s first loves were her family and her God. She was greatly loved and cherished by all her family and many who felt like an honorary member of her family. She devoted her life to introducing children to Jesus and serving her church. She began teaching children’s Sunday School classes at age 17 at Auburn Free Methodist Church and continued until her recent illness. In 1969 she began working at the church’s day care center. Except for a brief interlude to care for her ailing husband, Juanita continued her ministry there until May of 2011. She was also a consistent presence in the kitchen at church events.Juanita is preceded in death by her parents Bertha and James Fredrick, her sister Evelyn Reeves, granddaughter Christine Clark and Juanita’s husband Gordon Van Kleek. She is survived by her brother Gene (Margaret) Fredrick, her daughter Betty (Dave) Clark, son Fred (Carole) Van Kleek, six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial gifts may be sent to New Day Christian Fellowship.