Liesl Kay (Moran) Werner

Liesl Kay Werner Moran went home to be with Jesus on Tuesday, June 17th at 11:00 pm after a long struggle with cancer. She passed peacefully in her sleep. It was a very difficult night of grief, but also so much gratitude.  Her husband James Moran and sister, Seija (Werner) Brown were able to be at her bedside to say goodbye and are so very grateful for that.  She is no longer in pain, and no more suffering, which she had endured for much too long a time.  Liesl is survived by her husband James Gregory Moran, her sister, Seija (Werner) Brown, Brother-in-law William (Bill) Brown, her nephew Zachary Brown, and niece Kalie Brown, and many beloved cousins and friends. Liesl was preceded in death by her Father, Harold (Hal) Lewis Werner, and Mother Miriam (Micki) Ann (Hopping) Werner.

Liesl was born on Sept. 3, 1969, at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane Washington to Harold Lewis Werner and Miriam Ann (Hopping)Werner, and a very thrilled sister, Seija.  She was a preemie, at only 4 lbs. 4 oz.  Her family was so excited to bring her home when she was finally strong enough. 

Shortly after Liesl’s birth, the family moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, for her Dad’s coaching job at Simon Fraser University, where they lived for the next 10 years in North Vancouver, and then Coquitlam, B.C.  Liesl attended Cape Horn Elementary School in Coquitlam through 5th grade.

In 1977, while still living in Canada, due to her Father’s Coaching career, the family spent 6 months in Kuwait, for the final portion of a two-year commitment, where Hal coached the Kuwait Olympic Team in Track and Field.  While there, Liesl and Seija attended the American School of Kuwait. It was an incredible cultural experience for all. Once that adventure was over, they headed back to Canada via Thailand, India, Japan and finally back home.

The following year the family moved back to Cheney, where they had maintained their homestead on 9 acres on then Fishlake Rd., now Cheney-Spokane Rd.  Liesl remained in Cheney for the remainder of her educational life, attending Junior High and then High School in Cheney.  After graduation from High School, Liesl attended Eastern Washington University where she attained her bachelor’s degree in 1994 and continued on to achieve a double master’s degree in social work and administration in 2001.  Liesl worked in the social work field in Spokane for several years, and then moved to Toledo with her Mother, to be nearer to her sister Seija and her family. Liesl and Micki lived in Toledo for several years, until they once again moved, following Seija’s family to Indiana, where they lived in Lebanon, IN until Micki passed away in 2017.  Liesl then lived with Seija and her family until she returned to the Spokane Valley that she loved in 2019. 

Liesl married the love of her life, James Gregory Moran on May 12th, 2021.  Liesl met James after her bout with breast cancer brought her to Klamath Falls, Oregon.  They met and were married a year later.  James and Liesl initially lived in town but later moved to Round Lake Mobile Home Park and Golf Course, where she lived until her passing, with James and their two fur babies, Hobbes and Tiny Cat.

Liesl had brain surgery in February of 2025, to remove a cancerous tumor that had metastasized from the breast cancer of 7 years ago.  That surgery was successful; however, she had additional difficulty with her right arm that had ceased to function and caused increasingly severe shooting pains.  Additional MRIs discovered that the brain tumor had returned and had spread and was inoperable.  Liesl’s sister, Seija had flown out to take her to Redding CA for a 2nd brain surgery, prior to the discovery that it had spread to her spinal column, and she had several other tumors including one under her clavicle which was causing all of the arm pain and non-functionality.  Seija brought her back to Klamath Falls via the California Coast and Redwood Forest, which was a wonderful blessing of time spent together.  Liesl said she could feel her brain getting worse.  Increasing confusion and pain were ramping up.  We got her to the ER right away upon return to Klamath, and by God’s grace and mercy, her suffering ended when she passed away two days later.

Liesl had an angelic singing voice and loved to sing her favorite Christian songs.  She loved to laugh from the heart and her laugh was always infectious.  Liesl loved animals, especially her sweet fur babies, Hobbes and Tiny Cat. She could remember every line from her favorite movies – Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Benny and Joon, and many others and would often share them.  She loved the Johnny Carson show and could quote guests like Jonothan Winters verbatim along with his mannerisms. 

Liesl was a sweet, kind, caring soul that had a tough time living in this often-harsh world.  Her ingenuity helped her through some very tough times. She loved James, her fur babies, Christian music, Hard Rock, great comedy, her family, and especially Jesus.

Liesl accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour in 1991, and promptly shared Jesus with her Sister, Seija, who was saved the next year.  She always tried to have a good testimony and represent her Saviour well.  Throughout all of her struggles, she praised the Lord and did just that, always trusting Him, no matter what.

Liesl has met her Jesus face to face, and we can only imagine the joy she is now experiencing, as well as the wonderful reunion she is having with her Mother.

A celebration of Liesl’s life will be held Saturday, June 28th, at 2:00 PM

Davenport's Chapel of the Good Shepherd Inc. | 2680 Memorial Drive | Klamath Falls, OR 97601 | Tel: 1-541-883-3458

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