Juanita Weissenfels

1946-2026

Longtime Forks resident Juanita Weissenfels (née Roland) left this world on February 19, 2026, at Forks Community Hospital with her family by her side. She was 79.

Juanita was born July 19, 1946, in Portland, Oregon, to Robert and LaVera Roland. She grew up in Lewiston, Idaho, where she developed the strong work ethic and warm sense of community that would guide her throughout her life.

She graduated from Western Washington College of Education with a bachelor’s degree in teaching. Not long after that, she married Gary Weissenfels, also from Lewiston. The couple lived in Richland and then Bellingham, where Juanita worked to support Gary while he completed his teaching degree and their two daughters, Kimberly and Kathryn.

In the early 1970s, Gary and Juanita accepted their first teaching positions in Forks. This was the start of Juanita’s long and meaningful career teaching both elementary and middle school students. After her divorce, Juanita raised her young daughters as a single mother while continuing her teaching career and education, and working part-time and seasonal jobs while her girls were young—efforts that reflected her determination, resilience, and devotion to her small family.

Juanita retired from teaching at the age of 55 but remained deeply involved in her community. She served on the Forks City Council and was appointed to both the Clallam Transit System Board and the Clallam County Homelessness Task Force, where she worked to support and strengthen the community she loved.

A gifted musician, Juanita generously volunteered her time playing piano for Forks Community Choir, various local churches, weddings, funerals, and many other community events. She was very active with the Congregational Church and loved her church family, playing the piano and organ there, and helping with the annual Harvest Dinner. Over the years, she also volunteered her time as part of the Forks 4th of July Committee, the Quillayute Valley Scholarship Auction, the clothing bank, and her beloved Friends of Forks Animals. Her generosity extended further through donations to her church, FOFA, and other organizations supporting children, animals, and the environment.

Juanita loved spending time at her family home on San Juan Island, traveling with family and friends both in the U.S. and abroad, and at regular social gatherings with friends, including book club, pinochle nights, Taco Tuesdays at Blakeslee’s Bar & Grill, and Thursday night get-togethers at The Tip & Sip—activities that reflected her love of laughter, friendship, and good conversation.

Juanita was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her brother John, sister Kimberly (Karl) Joslin, daughters Kim and Katie, nieces Emily and Erin and nephews Adam and Alex, their families, a great many dear friends, and her dog Molly.

She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, sense of humor, and deep dedication to family, students, and community. Her legacy lives on in the countless people she taught, supported, and inspired throughout her life.

Her family invites those who knew and loved Juanita to remember her by continuing the spirit of service and friendship she carried so naturally.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 4, at 1 p.m. at the Forks Congregational Church, 280 S. Spartan Avenue.