Juanita King Zierenberg

Our beloved, Juanita Wilma King Zierenberg, died of natural causes Monday morning, January 7, 2013. She was surrounded by family in the hours preceding her passing. Juanita was born on June 25, 1923, in Lawrence Park, PA, and was the oldest of 4 children. She grew up on a farm where she learned the value of hard work and developed many life skills such as gardening, harvesting and canning. She had a passion for literature and, after finishing her chores, loved to curl up with a good book. Juanita attended Harbor Creek High School and Mercyhurst College in Pennsylvania. In 1942 after a few years of courting, she married Roger H. Zierenberg, Sr. in Erie, PA. All too soon, Roger was off to war and Juanita was left on her own to raise their small family. Many years have passed since then and they recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. She raised 6 children; 3 boys and 3 girls.

Juanita had many talents and used them to serve her family and her community. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many callings and positions while serving in the womens' organizations. She played piano and loved to sing in church choirs. She was an excellent seamstress, and often sewed clothing and created beautiful blankets for her children and siblings. She had an affinity for early American furniture, crafts, photos and dolls.

Juanita had a lifelong passion for genealogy and family history research. She did much to gather, record and preserve generations of family photos, certificates and stories. She believed that family matters, and her reach extended beyond her immediate family and out to grandchildren and great grandchildren, as she was very nurturing and caring, spending hours on the phone, listening and empathizing, and sharing her love. She was kind and understanding, looking past the flaws, and always encouraging.

Juanita is preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Wilda King, her daughter Beth, and many other family members whom she so diligently came to know through her researching. Juanita loved 6 children, 34 grandchildren and 85 great grandchildren. Still does; always will.

She was determined to do what is right, and had a firm resolve to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

She leaves a lasting legacy of love, affection, kindness, tenderness and endurance to the end.