Juanita Sjelin

Juanita Brubaker Sjelin, 89, passed away, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015 while living in the Camelot Retirement Home in Hemet, CA.

She was born Jan. 28, 1926 in the town of Mexico, IN. Her family of seven sisters and two brothers moved to the farm country of central North Dakota. Juanita graduated from Munich High School in 1943. She attended North Central Bible College of the Assemblies of God in Minneapolis, MN.

She married Paul Sjelin (1924-2014) on June 28, 1947. They lived near Big Lake, MN. She became the mother of Kenyon, Paula, Kevin, Kerry, respectively. They later moved with their children to live in southern California in 1966 and later moved to Rockland, ID, in 1970. Her husband started up Paul Sjelin Construction and became a building contractor throughout the Intermountain Region and beyond.

Paul was the hard-working job boss, but Juanita was known as the “union rep” and cook for the crew. She would stick up for the young working crew (who often lived on the job) when the boys needed a break from the summer heat, or to take time to go to town for a swim at the local city pool and eat a big meal. Both Paul and Juanita were long time members of the American Falls Assemblies of God (now A.F. Christian Fellowship).

They enjoyed having friends drop in their home unannounced for a time to laugh over shared stories, discuss current events or bring encouragement to those who were hurting. Caring for others stemmed from their devotion to a Christ-centered faith.

She is survived by her sons Kenyon and Kerry, and her daughter, Paula. A memorial service and potluck dinner in honor of Juanita will be held Sunday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m. at the American Falls Christian Fellowship, 329 Harrison Street, A.F.