Juanita Sierra Zapien

Our Beloved Juanita Sierra Zapien passed away on March 20, 2025.

She was born in Saginaw, Michigan on October 16, 1949. She lived most of her youth in San Antonio, Texas then spent most of her adulthood living in Archbold, Ohio until she moved into her Rio Rancho home in 2007.

Juanita leaves her husband of 53 years, Meliton M Zapien, her children, José A Zapien (wife: Jennifer Zapien), Adela S Botello (husband: Moses Botello) and Melisa Monger (husband: Collin Monger. Also her baker's dozen of grandchildren. Santiago, Elijah, Gabriel, Jose, Maravilla, Rosa, Victoria, Owen, Anelia, Pablo, Sierra, Noah and Alora.

She worked professionally as a nurse at Fulton County Health Center in Wauseon, Ohio. She also worked as a Migrant Healthcare Coordinator throughout Northwest Ohio for several years.

Juanita strived to be the woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31. If you needed a family, she welcomed you into ours with open arms and a loving heart. She was a wonderful cook and loved to feed the staff and patients with her amazing cooking as well as other loved ones in her life. She enjoyed teaching others how to cook, with joy. She strived to treat others with kindness and thoughtfulness. Juanita had a heart to reach out to those in need.

She was a very talented seamstress who made the most amazing gowns, dresses and so much more for Quinceañeras, weddings and special events. She was a costume designer for plays and productions throughout her life. She loved making crafts, beading and especially crocheting. She crocheted anything from dresses for Quinceañera dolls to Christmas ornaments and of course blankets. She beaded personalized lanyards that would follow a theme or color. She gave much of her creativity in projects and always included her personal touch.

She loved the Lord and is now with Him, pain and sorrow free. She endured 18 years of kidney dialysis in renal failure.

Her favorite Bible verse says "But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

She used this verse as a source of Supernatural power.

She was the eldest of 12 siblings. She was preceded in death by six of her siblings who were David Orta Sr, Maria de Jesus Sierra, Richard Orta Sr., John Andrew Orta Sr, Alfredo Sierra and Rudolfo Sierra. Those who remain are José Sierra, Edwardo Sierra, Daniel Orta Jr., Christina Orta and Santiago Orta Sr. Her father Alfredo Sierra Sr., mother Oralia Orta and stepfather Daniel Orta Sr. preceded her in death as well.

A public viewing starts at 10:00 am on March 27, 2025 at Calvary Church WESTSIDE

6051 Winter Haven Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120. The memorial service to follow at 11:00 am.

The service will be available online per request.