Wanda Juanita Kerns

It was always exciting to hear that "Juanita was coming in from Colorado Springs." Frankly, as a kid announcements of family visits could be a sure sign of pain and boredom -- but not this one.

Magical -- she was just magical and made everyone around her feel magical.

I never figured out how she could know so much about us and care so much for us when we saw her so infrequently but she could -- another of her unusual capabilities.

Though I didn't see her at all over the...

We all have those special people in our lives that rise above everyone. Juanita was mine! From my earliest memories of her she was my favorite. She was kind, loving, gentle, sweet, and encouraging. She always found something special about me and had a story about how that special something would make me great someday! Quite a treat for a little girl from Wheatcroft! She always wanted me to come and live with her for college. She always wanted me to come to Colorado Springs and see "her"...