June Marie Newman (Larson), 96, went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 9, 2022, at the Hawarden Hospital.

June was born in her childhood home on a farm near Alcester, SD on June 29, 1926, and lived there throughout her childhood.  She went to Petry Country School followed by Hawarden High School.  June attended Big Springs Baptist Church all her life. She made the decision to follow Christ during special meetings at the church and was baptized there in 1938 at the age of 12.  Her faith in Jesus Christ as her personal Savior never wavered.

June graduated in 1944. She worked at First National Bank in Hawarden for four years while her high school sweetheart, Richard Newman, was in the armed forces in WWII.  After Richard returned, he and June were married at Big Springs by Pastor Miller on Sept 3, 1948. Shortly after Rich and June were wed, they moved to Guthrie Center, IA where she began her married life as a highway patrolman's wife and worked for the county auditor.  Later they moved to Onawa, IA where June worked for the state Driver's License Dept.

A few years later, Rich and June moved five miles south of Alcester where they lived for over 60 years.  There they raised their two daughters, Julie and Peggy.  Those years were filled with hard work as June always had chickens, eggs, a big garden and a cellar she filled with canned fruits and vegetables.  She served countless delicious meals, lunches, and desserts to anyone who visited the farm.  Many wonderful memories were made around her kitchen table.  The highlight of the year was the Christmas Eve celebration she hosted on the farm.  The meal always began with her reading the Christmas Story from Luke 2.

June enjoyed entertaining friends and family in her home, baking, and volunteering in church as a Sunday School, GMG, and Bible School teacher.  She also helped as a deacon's wife and was on many committees and Bible Studies.  The family took a vacation every year.  Most years they went to Lake Okoboji, but they also took camping trips to the Black Hills and Colorado.  After retirement, Rich and June enjoyed trips to Alaska, Hawaii, Branson, bus trips to the east coast, and yearly trips to see Greg and Peggy in California.  She loved being a grandma to her two grandsons who grew up nearby. She attended their school activities and was so proud of them.  When they were married, she became close to both her grand-daughter-in laws and was especially blessed to get to hold and know her four great grandchildren.

June was preceded in death by her husband, parents, three siblings, a son-in-law, and two nephews.

June is survived and will be deeply missed by her daughters Julie Blauth, Alcester SD and Peggy (Greg) Licari, Carmel Valley CA; two grandsons, Andrew Blauth (Miriam), Sioux Falls SD and Kevin Blauth (Meg) Denver CO; and four great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Maria, Lydia and Wesley. She was also blessed with having step-grandchildren, Tony Licari (Elena), Austin TX and Jennifer Martini (Donovan) Boyes, Hot Springs CA; their four children, Caden, Sebastian, Morgan and Emma; and eleven nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be Wednesday, July 20, at 2:00pm at Big Springs Baptist Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at 1:00 pm with a prayer service and shared memories.