June Ann Kuemin

June Ann Kuemin, 80, a lifelong resident of the Traverse City area, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, August 27, 2016 at her home.

June was born on Friday, July 3, 1936 to the late Norman and Beatrice (Larson) Nelson. She graduated from Suttons Bay High School and later became a licensed cosmetologist. She and Robert (Bob) James Kuemin, also of Suttons Bay, were married on Thursday, February 10, 1955 in Traverse City.

June and Bob were always a team with their family being their number one priority at all times. They painstakingly worked together to provide a loving and nurturing home for their two daughters Wendy and Konnie. Bob worked two jobs most of his life while June managed the home and also worked outside the home when the girls were older. Both Bob and June were employed by TCAP's transportation department, Bob as a school bus driver and June as a special education bus aide. They took great delight in their role as grandparents and were a huge presence in their oldest granddaughter's early childhood.

During their 54 years of marriage Bob and June enjoyed growing and preserving their own produce from gardens that they maintained at both of their Traverse City homes. They loved to play cards and much of their social life revolved around playing Euchre with their friends and family members. They were both active members of the Eagles club in different capacities throughout the years. They participated in a "dinner club" with several other couples going to various restaurants around the area for a number of years. Group dinners at the hunting club that Bob was a member of was another activity that they often enjoyed together. Both June and Bob were great fans of the Detroit Tigers and followed them faithfully.

June had many good women friends and was always ready to listen and to help in any way possible. She loved getting together for lunches, birthdays, holidays, Bunco games, craft shows, and was usually up for most anything. She was vigilant in preparing hand written notes and cards to people for any observation; Birthdays, Illnesses, Deaths, Births and Celebrations. She also had a wonderful sense of humor. She loved to laugh and it was one of her many endearing qualities. She had a kind and caring heart that was demonstrated through her relationships with her friends and family. June had a strong faith in God that was instilled in her as a child and that she passed on to her children. She was a proud member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church for well over 50 years.

She is known to her family as an incredibly strong and perseverant woman. In 2013, June was involved in a serious car accident that resulted in a series of hospitalizations and significant health issues. At times these conditions were life threatening. Her determination and will to live so moved her family that it made an indelible impression on them. They are so thankful that they were raised by parents that were such examples of perseverance, hard work, and faithfulness.

June is survived by her daughters, Wendy (Larry) Wakefield of Traverse City, Konnie (David) Novak of Cedar; her granddaughter Rhiannon M. Roberts and her fiancé Matthew Parker, both of Chicago; Hope Olivia and Chance Robert Wakefield, both of Traverse City. Also surviving are June's siblings, L. Dawn Smith of Copemish, Don Nelson of Grawn, and Charles and Glen Nelson, both of Traverse City. June was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob and her siblings, Sharon Rubio and Carol Luinstra.

Visitation for June will take place Friday, Sept. 2 from 5 until 7 p.m. at The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Her memorial service will begin at 1:00 PM Saturday, September 3 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Traverse City, where she has been a longtime member. Interment will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

For a more lasting memorial, the family has asked that any memorial contributions be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church.