June Kuitert, this  year's Honored Quilter, has been quilting for 16 years. June was a teacher in Roseburg for 32 years and loved her career. Upon retirement she joined some good friends in Sutherlin once a week to learn to quilt. She learned by watching her friends and picking their brains.  

June is married to Jake Kuitert who has been very supportive of her "new" hobby. She has two children, Krystal who lives in Eugene with her husband Will and children Anna and Anderson. Her son, Thys, lives in Sisters with his wife Kate and twins, Macy and Brayden. She loves sewing gifts for all of them and they have been recipients of many of her quilts. She has done several retreats with friends over the years and taken many classes to sharpen her skills. 

Five years ago, June, Nancy Murphy, and Connie Grady started a Cancer Comfort Quilt Ministry. They hear of people in our community who are needing comfort during their Cancer treatments and one of them contacts the person. The lap quilt is chosen, a matching bag with outside pockets is made for each quilt. They fill the pockets with snacks, water, books, magazines and games to give them ideas to take to treatments. A personal visit is made then by one or all three of the women to present them with the quilt, pray with them and remind them, God is with them throughout their journey.  

Quilting brings great joy to June!