(262) 653-0667
3016 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142
Barbara E. June, age 80, of Kenosha, passed away after a short illness on Sunday, August 2, 2020, surrounded by the love of her family.
Barb was born in LaCrosse, WI on March 28, 1940 and was the only child of George and Eileen (Stondahl) Kerr. She was educated in LaCrosse, attending Aquinas High School and graduated from LaCrosse Central High School in 1958. On May 19, 1972, she married Duane L. June in Waukegan, IL; they were together for 48 years. She was a true LaCrosse river rat, growing up on the banks of the Mississippi River where her parents owned a house boat. She and her friends spent many a summer day swimming, sunning, fishing and diving off the house boat into the river. She moved to Kenosha from LaCrosse in 1959 and worked as a telephone operator. She was a homemaker for many years while her children were young and worked as a waitress at Howard Johnson and 3 Coins after her children were in school. In 1994, she and her husband Duane returned to LaCrosse to help care for her mother, relocating back to Kenosha in 2015 to be closer to family. Barb loved spending time with family, reading – frequently completing an entire book in a day, crossword puzzles – the harder the better – and playing along with Jeopardy on TV- at times scoring higher than the TV contestants. She enjoyed dancing; teaching all her children to polka, camping, cribbage, genealogy, traveling to historic sites, antiquing and attending auctions and estate sales with her husband Duane. Barb was a Brownie troop leader, volunteered with the Red Cross and assisted children with motor disabilities in the hydrotherapy pool at Jane Vernon school. She also played on many local bowling leagues.
Barb is survived by her children, Laura (Dave) Manske, Steve (Heidi) Manske, Mark (Pam) Manske, and Kari (Dan) Manske-First: all of Kenosha. Grandchildren, Michael (Kelli) Manske, Matthew (Sam) Manske, Melissa (Dakota) Manske, Mitchel Manske, Melanie (Andy) Manske, Ryan (Stephanie) Manske, Brandon Manske, Jessica (Wes) First, Jaime First, Cassie (Rob) Flora, Jessica (Pat) Commodore, Derek Dawson and Tera Neu, 12 great-grandchildren with one on the way.
Barb was preceded in death by her husband Duane who died just 3 days before, her daughter Vicki Dawson and granddaughters Mallory Manske and Alice June.
The family would like to express extreme love and appreciation to her special angel and caregiver Kris Manske, who she considered a part of the family and also the caring staff on 2 Palmer at Kenosha Hospital during her last days.
A memorial service for Barbara and her husband Duane will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday August 6, 2020 at the Woman’s Club of Kenosha (6028- 8th Ave). a visitation with the family will be held at the Woman’s Club on Thursday from 5 p.m. until the time of service.
Mon - Fri: 8AM - 4PM
(262) 653-0667
3016 75th Street, Kenosha, WI 53142
Floyd June says:
Aunt Barb!!! I’ll miss you and your wit and intelligence when visiting you and Duane. Thank you for the love and care you gave my Uncle Duane. I’ll surely miss you both immensely and the visits. They say God works in mysterious ways, however having you both called home to heaven within a short period of time, is mixed blessing. I have to believe it is best that one of you doesn’t have be left alone without the other.
May you both now rest in peace under God’s love and care. Say “Hi” to all the rest of the family. Save a spot for me!
Nephew Floyd June
Laura J Manske says:
Yes, though it’s a tragedy to lose them both neither would be the same without the other. They loved your visits. Thank you.
Kari First says:
Thank you so much Floyd! Duane and my mom enjoyed your company also. He told me quite a few stories of your hunting days. See you tomorrow, thank you!
Cassie flora says:
Grandma Barb you will be so missed. I thank God you and Grandpa are together. Miss you both just wish we had lived closer. I will always remember your voice when I was little I was scared of it. I laugh now there was nothing to be scared of. You were always good to my grandpa and I thank you for putting up with all of us kid and mom. . Until we meet again love you, love your granddaughter Cassie.
Aunt Kari says:
Thanks Cassie for your thoughts and prayers, thanks too for the pictures I will put them up tomorrow. Grandma and Grandpa always adored you kids and wished themselves they could see you more often! Love you, we’ll stay in touch?❤️
Laura J Manske says:
Thanks Cassie. Yes, her voice had a way of keeping us in line. Love you girl.
Jessica Commodore says:
Rest in peace Grandma Barb! I’m glad you are with Grandpa. I only wish we were able to be apart of each other’s lives more. I love you.
Love always your granddaughter Jessica Commodore
Aunt Kari says:
Thanks Jessica! As I told Cassie…. Grandpa and Grandma always adored you guys. I’m glad they are at peace together?❤️