June Lois (Een) Peterson's Obituary
June Lois (Een) Peterson, 88, died peacefully on Oct 9, 2015. She was born on June 15, 1927 in a predominantly Swedish neighborhood in Chicago, IL, the beloved daughter of Carl and Mabel (Carlson) Een who predeceased her. June was also preceded in death by her infant brother Roy. She was baptized, confirmed and married in Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Chicago. She attended Trumball Elementary School and Senn High School. She is survived by her husband Norman, their children Paul (Tamara), Little Rock, AR; Diane Day (Keith), Omaha, NE; Nancy Damon (Don), Darien, IL; Sue Ostoin (Keith), Muskegon; Alice Routley (David), Big Rapids. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, 2 nieces, a nephew and beloved cousin Edythe Hinkston. She graduated from the Augustana School of Nursing in 1949 as a Registered Nurse. In her career she worked at the VA, in a TB ward and as a private duty nurse. In 1951, June married Norman G. Peterson. When she was expecting their first child, she left nursing. In 1957, they and their growing family moved to Big Rapids. Leaving family, friends and familiarity with big city living behind, they started a life in the small, rural town. June was always the gravitational force of the family and the one who knew what was going on, when and where. She was curious, with her interests focused on people and discovering more about them. She encouraged learning and education of all subjects but with great appreciation of the fine arts. For years, she attended the Grand Rapids Symphony and their many venues and looked for chances to include a grandchild to encourage their appreciation of music. Though she had a piano and could play, she resumed lessons as an adult. Her appreciation of the arts was at a very personal level as she made sure to attend performances of grandchildren at band concerts and in plays. In her 80's, she even got on stage in the local production of "Music Man". Fulfilling a lifelong dream of learning Swedish, in her 70's she joined a Swedish language class and a Swedish American group. Opportunities abounded for Swedish cultural activities. Another dream was fulfilled when she had the opportunity to visit and explore Sweden. She was delighted to be at and take pictures of those places she had seen in her father's photographs. From an early age, June loved to travel. As a teenager, she talked her mother into taking her by train to visit relatives in Florida and California. As her children grew up and ventured off into other locations, she took advantage of the opportunities to visit them throughout the US, Mexico, Italy, Greece and Israel. June always believed in getting to know the area in which you live. As a result, the family frequently toured areas accessible as "day trips" and counted on traveling somewhere for a summer vacation. She also believed in keeping one's passport up to date "just in case". Purchasing a large travel trailer in the late 1970's added a new dimension to their traveling, exploring the US from coast to coast. The love of God and church was the cornerstone of June's life. For more than 50 years she attended St. Peter's and became involved in many social activities, including singing in the choir, serving as secretary in the LWML and as a trustee at Prince of Peace chapel. Nothing was more important to her than her family. She did not hesitate to move her widowed elderly father from Chicago to Michigan, incorporating him into a household of 5 children and becoming his caregiver until his death at age 93. She set a wonderful example of caring and compassion. She was very close to her cousin Edythe; they shared a love of adventure and travel. They were both the sister that neither of them had, and though Edythe lived in California, they communicated often and visited whenever possible. Grandchildren gave her great joy. It was easy for the new parents to have June help because of her sensibility and nursing background. She waited in the hospital for many of them to be born and made her way into the delivery room for five of them. When her first was born in Florida and her fifth was born in Mexico, she was thrilled to both travel and see her new grandchildren shortly after their birth. She participated in as many of their events as was possible, from t-ball to their weddings. Embracing Swedish tradition, she was called Mormor by 9 of her grandchildren and Farmor by 3 of them. Toward the end of her life she remained a vital connection for the whole family. Right to the end, she loved to find humor in things and to be involved in conversation. Her last day was spent with daughters and her husband chatting, remembering, laughing, and she smiled along with them. Modest and humble, we will miss her zest for life, love of family, laughter, medical expertise and her wit. Her independent spirit and practical, commonsense will live on in all our memories. Her husband Norman, children Paul, Diane, Nancy, Sue and Alice will hold her forever in their hearts and daily lives. Funeral service for June will be 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Big Rapids with Pastor John Bookshaw officiating. Interment will follow at the Highland View Cemetery. June's family will greet friends today (Monday) from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Memorials contributions may be made in June's name to Mercy Health VNS and Hospice of Muskegon, or to the St. Peter's Lutheran Church Service Guild or Choir Fund with envelopes available at the funeral home. Her Grandchildren: Yasmin, Esther and Nathan Peterson Pete Jefferson (Sara) Scott Jefferson (Becky) Kirsten and Eric Damon Jean Routley-Robinson (Kelly Robinson) Julie Routley Daniel Routley (Calen) Nick Routley (Nicole) Marcus Routley (Brooklyn) Her Great Grandchildren: Austin and Braiden Peterson Caleb, Luke, Leah, Sam, Liam, Seth Jefferson Finley Robinson David, Nicholas, Riley Jo, Charlie Jo and Bristol Routley Her Nieces and Nephew: Carol Baum Wendy Kellett Jim Baum
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