June B. Johnson
Ten and a half years after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, June B. Johnson, long time Helena resident, died on Friday, September 2. She was born on June 27, 1937, in Denver, Colorado, to Fred B. Bowman and Clarice Cockshott Bowman.
The family moved to Billings when June was in the fifth grade, where her father, Fred, worked for many years as a civil engineer for the Bureau of Reclamation. June graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1955. While in high school she was active in student government and was also a cheerleader for the Billings High Broncs.
June attended the University of Montana, majoring in elementary education. While in college she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.
Following graduation from college, and on June 27, 1959, June and Cordell Johnson were married in Billings. The couple started their life together in Missoula, where Cordell was a third year student in the Law School. Upon his graduation in 1960, they, along with their six week old daughter, Janna, moved to Helena where Cordell went to work for a Helena law firm.
June, for the most part, was a stay a home Mom, although she did spend a few years working as a real estate agent.
She took the lead in raising the family’s three children, providing a loving and caring atmosphere for them to grow up in. All the while she maintained a well kept household and provided delicious meals for her family, following the tradition of her mother and her mother-in-law of being an excellent cook.
June was, for many years, an active member of the Republican Women. She was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, the PEO Sisterhood and the Green Meadow Country Club (where, incidentally, she scored a hole-in-one in July of 1978).
She enjoyed working with stained glass, and many of the objects that she made were used to help decorate the family home. For many years the family home was an 1898 house that June filled with antique furniture and collectibles.
June was a Denver Bronco fan and spent many Sunday afternoons watching the Broncos on TV, and on one occasion she and Cordell attended a Monday Night game in Denver.
June was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Clarice Bowman. She is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, her three children, Janna Robnett of Post Falls, Idaho, David Johnson of Missoula, and Todd Johnson of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Rachael Robnett of Santa Cruz, CA, Andrea Johnson of Missoula and Jim Robnett of Post Falls, Idaho.
Also surviving are her sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Dan Ryan of Duval, Washington, and her sister-in-law Judi Hancock of Salem, Oregon, and numerous nieces and nephews, and her loving cat “Binky”.
She made lasting friendships with a group of ladies from St. Paul’s who formed a Bible study group.
June also greatly enjoyed the many friends she made in the St. Peter’s women’s cancer support group. It meant a lot to her in the final years of her illness.
The family wishes to publicly thank Dr. Tom Weiner and all the nursing staff of the Cancer Treatment Center of St. Peter’s Hospital for the excellent and loving care they provided to June during the many years she was being treated there. The family also wishes to thank the caring folks of St. Peter’s Hospice, who were of great help to June in the final months of her life.
A memorial service, which will be a celebration of June’s life, will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Thursday, September 8th at 11:00 a.m. A reception will be held at the Green Meadow Country Club immediately following the memorial service.
Persons wishing to send memorials for June may send them to the Intermountain Children’s Home, the Cancer Treatment Center of St. Peter’s Hospital, the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Building Fund, or the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.
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Bill & Judy Coddington says
We’re so sorry to learn of June’s passing. She was sweet, kind, and gracious. A wonderful Lady.
Bob Cummins & Allyn Ann Cummins says
Corky;Janna, David,Todd our prayers are with you and our valiant June bug. I regret that I won’t be able to attend her services as I have an all day long trial on thursday.Love bob.
Bob Ruby says
Corky,
Saddest of news.
Bob Ruby
Janelle Fallan & Ken Dunham says
Corky, Janna, David and Todd — we were so very sorry to hear about June. What a loss to you all.
Janelle & Ken, Folsom California
Jerry Fox says
Dear Todd, Cordell and all of the Johnson Family:
May the sadness of the moment soon be replaced by the happy memories of the life you shared with June.
I have fond memories of the hospitality June shared whenever I visited Todd in Helena, and after I moved here, it was always such a pleasure to run into her in a store or at Church. Her smiling face and cheerfulness always made my day.
Love,
Jerry Fox
john ilgenfritz says
Corky,
Words are difficult coming and so inadequate. You and your family are in our thoughts.
Sincerely,
john
Steve and Marci Lynn says
Corky and Family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers.
Tom Ellis says
Corky, I was sorry to hear of the loss of your wife June. Charlotte and I send our sympathies.
Tom And Charlotte Ellis
Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho
Tonna Strasko says
Todd, Cordell, and family,
We are so sorry to hear about June’s passing. She just always seemed to have a smile ready for everyone.
God bless you all during this time.
Tonna and Joe Strasko
Paul Moses Strasko