GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — One of the forces behind a long-time Grand Rapids restaurant has died.
Juanita Martina Baltierrez alongside her husband founded the Tex-Mex spot Taco Boy in 1967 serving up its namesake as well as burritos and tamales.
"Juanita was such a beautiful person, she was like a grandmother to me so she will be missed," longtime employee Lisa Fields said.
She moved to Grand Rapids in 1944 with her family and graduated from South High School at 16 years old. Juanita married Jose Hernandez, her obituary reads, and they married in 1950.
They had three children together in the Wyoming area. The family said Juanita became widowed at 28 years old, so she started working at Lear Siegler.
Several years later, she met Robert Baltierrez and they married in 1961. Robert, who was also widowed, brought two children into the family.
“I was just a youngster when my parents opened Taco Boy and I've been working here on and off all these years," Anita Heavner said. "My parents retired, they sold it, and I've been the owner since.”
Juanita Martina Baltierrez alongside her husband Robert Baltierrez founded the Taco Boy restaurant in 1967. Robert and Juanita were married for 62 years.
Fast forward to today, the Plainfield Avenue restaurant is owned by their daughter Anita.
All of her children and most of her grandchildren have worked at the restaurant, her obituary reads. She was 92.
"We plan to to keep it open just to honor her and the family, and keep it in the family we have," Brian Heavner said. "She has great grandchildren now that are starting to be interested in working here.”
"Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the love of her life. Next to her family, Juanita loved cooking. Every family member anticipated the next delivery of frijoles and freshly made flour tortillas," her obituary reads.
"Tamale making for Christmas would bring the entire family to her home where 20 plus children and grandchildren would assemble more than 200 tamales, with Juanita smiling and overseeing the process. This tradition continues."
A visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25 at ResLife Church in Grandville from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The funeral service will follow.
The family asks for memorials to be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association or the American Diabetes Association.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.