Juanita Fernandez

Juanita Fernandez, 94, of Junction City, KS, departed this life on Sunday, August 25, 2013, in Salina, KS. She was born on June 24 in 1919, in Angeles, Pampanga, Philippines. Her parents were Victor Bañola and Dominga Palien.

She married the love of her life, Hipolito Fernandez, on her birthday in June of 1937, at Fort Stotsenburg in the Philippines. The couple and their children moved to the Junction City area in 1956 on orders to Fort Riley with the U.S. Army. Juanita and Hipolito spent nearly sixty wonderful years together, until his death in 1997.

Juanita worked on post in Fort Riley and retired with twenty years of Civil Service in 1981. She was a talented seamstress, and had countless clients in Junction City, as well as the surrounding area. Juanita was also proud of her Filipino heritage, and was a member of the Filipino-American Association.

She was a loving wife, mother and friend. She enjoyed caring for those around her, and always made sure that any guest who visited her home was well-fed by the time they left. Throughout her life, she was a strong and independent woman, with an equally strong faith in God.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her two children, Julie Booth of Junction City, and Don Fernandez of Colonial Beach, VA; three sisters, Gloria Piñon and Sally Bañola of Junction City, KS and Inopea Bañola of the Philippines. She also leaves behind three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held to honor Juanita's life at 10:00 AM Thursday, August 29, 2013, at the St. Xavier Catholic Church in Junction City, KS. Visitation will be held at Penwell-Gabel Johnson Funeral Chapel from 9:00AM-10:00AM prior to the service.

Following the funeral service, Juanita will be laid to rest alongside her husband at the Fort Riley Cemetery in Fort Riley, KS.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages friends and loved ones to make a donation in Juanita's memory to the St. Xavier Catholic School Activities Committee in Junction City, KS.