June E. (Jones) Straka

     June E. Straka, 86, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on October 25, 2023 at the Grand Village in Grand Rapids, MN.  She was born April 1, 1937, at home in Eagle Bend, MN.  The 5th of nine children to Bert and Maybelle (Johnson) Jones.  Her dad moved the family up to the Marble Calumet area when the mines opened up.  She was 4 years old.  June attended school in Marble Olcott Elementary and junior high school.  She graduated in 1952 and later graduated in 1955 from Greenway High School.  In her adult years, she took college courses mainly in the artistic field.  After dating bob for 20 months, they were married in the First Methodist Church in Marble, MN on her parents 26th wedding anniversary, June 16, 1956.  To this union, 4 lovely daughters were born.  Cindy Lou, Tobie Lee, Roberta Jo, and Robin Rae.  Her husband Bob, later died on September 18, 2003, they had been married for 47 years, 3 months, and two days.  They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 1996.  She loved being a wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker and all that was involved with making her home a wonderful place.  Her work began at an early age as an assistant Sunday School teacher and as an assistant Girl Scout Leader.  As an adult, she was Superintendent of the Methodist Church Sunday School along with being a Sunday School teacher, release time teacher, and VBC instructor.  She also had daycare in her home for 3 families in the 1970’s.  She was a nanny for the Hugh Leach family in Marble and in Hibbing.  She was gainfully employed by the Conway family at the Midget Market in Grand Rapids, MN.  She was additionally employed by the two families that later bought the store.  June was also employed by two Grand Rapids attorneys where she retired from in 1985.  Lastly, she was an executive director for the March of Dimes in six counties. 

June’s hobbies included knitting, sewing, making coats, jackets, and accessories to match.  She also enjoyed cooking for her daughters, baking, reading, and flower gardening, ceramics, and doing projects for Leona Monson Gifts and Maila Peterson Studios for nearly 4 years.  June also baked Christmas cookies respectfully for several area banks for their holiday appreciation day.   

Jesus was always in her heart.  She accepted him as her Lord and Savior when she was 16 years old.  June and Bob were very active in the Marble Methodist Church, on the local, regional and state levels.  In 1989, they became active members of Grace Bible Chapel in Grand Rapids, MN.

June was preceded in death by her precious husband Bob in 2003, their daughters, Tobi Barker and Robin Kinkel; her two sons, Jeremy and Buddy, and her parents, Bert and Maybelle in 1982 and 2004., respectfully her aunt and uncle, Charlie and Merrill Jones, brother, Richard Jones, sisters Muriel Jones and Peggy Olson, and former fiancé, Chick Conway, also, Bob’s parents, Joe Straka in 1963, and Mabel Straka in 1993, Bob’s siblings, Joan Straka Webster in 1975, and Ruby Straka in 2001, and Charlene Straka in 2011, along with many other relatives.

     She is survived by two daughters, Cindy (Ken) Puttonen, and Roberta (Carl) Olds, son-in-law Dale Kinkel, seven grandchildren, Erin (Terry) Varichak, Amanda (Chad) Keech, Cari Olds (Wes) Vickery, Kara Kinkel, Kim (Kendall) Korpi, Kerri (Mike) Eiden, Jeff (Katie) Kinkel, 20 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren, 5 Siblings and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for June will be 11:30 am, Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at Grace Bible Chapel in Grand Rapids, MN.  The Rev. Greg Rhodea will officiate.  Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the 11:30 am funeral service at the church on Wednesday.  Jue’s family would like to express a sincere thank you to the staff at  Grand Village and St. Croix Hospice for the exceptional care given to June in the recent past.   Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery of Coleraine. 

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