Contributed photo
Jean Balfanz sits next to some of the Memory Bears she has created over the years. Balfanz and her sisters created over 120 quilts that were given to veterans, homeless people and other people who are in need.

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

As she sipped on a cup of coffee at the Country Corner Cafe to help warm her up on a cold January morning, Jean Balfanz reflected on another form of warmth that she helps to provide people in need throughout the year.  ¶  Balfanz, and her sisters, create quilts that are given away to veterans and their families, as well as anyone who needs a reminder that someone is thinking of them. The idea to create quilts for those in need began 12-15 years ago when Balfanz crafted quilts to give to veterans to show her appreciation for the sacrifices the veterans made. She gave the quilts to family who knew of a veteran who could use a quilt, as well as veterans organizations who distributed them to those in need.  

 ¶  “To do something for them, I just made them a lap quilt,” she said of making quilts for veterans. “I said here is a quilt, give them to the guys.”

Contributed photo
A group of local veterans display some of the quilts created by Jean Balfanz and her sisters at the Country Corner Cafe in Henning.

Each November Balfanz creates quilts that are given away at the Country Corner Cafe to veterans as part of its Veterans Day meal. 

“I enjoy making them. It is a release for me,” she said of quilting. “(We give them to) anybody that needs one.”

Today, Balfanz and her sisters get together and create quilts throughout the year for places who serve veterans, homeless people, boys and girls clubs, as well as anyone who needs a quilt during a time of need. The goal of the quilts is to provide another way to show veterans and those in need that someone is keeping them in their thoughts and prayers.

“It’s something that maybe they need it and maybe they don’t, but is a way to show them that someone is thinking of them,” she said. 

In addition to making approximately 124 quilts as a group last year, Balfanz gives a new chance at a memorable life by sewing memory bears. The bears are oftentimes made out of old shirts, blankets and other fabric from a loved one that can be transformed into a custom bear. The bears are meant as a way to keep the memory alive of someone who may have passed away. 

Her contributions to the community go far beyond just sewing and stitching as she volunteers at the Henning Food Shelf and is Mrs. Claus at the annual Henning Santa Day festivities. Her volunteering efforts in the community are just a few other ways she can provide warmth both physically and mentally to people throughout the greater Henning area.