June Ekeren

June Ekeren, age 86, of Yankton, formerly of Mission Hill, passed away, Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home in Yankton. Memorial services will be 10:00 am, Thursday, September 12, 2024, at the Vangen Lutheran Church in Mission Hill, SD with Vicar Brent Ashby officiating. Burial of her cremated remains will follow at the Old Vangen Cemetery in Mission Hill. Online condolences may be sent at www.opsahlkostelfuneralhome.com . Livestreaming of June’s services may be viewed at https://server.attend.live/static/event/xklNn .

Mary June was born on March 5, 1938, to T. E. Criswell and Minnie Melba Nance in Marlin, TX. At age 6 she moved to Avon, SD, with her mother and stepfather Richard Ridgway.

She graduated from the 8th grade at Lone Tree #57 Country School. She attended Avon High School, graduating in 1957.  She graduated from Sacred Heart School of Nursing, Mount Marty College, in May, 1960.

June and her husband Darrell married on October 8, 1960.  They lived and raised their five children in Mission Hill.  She was baptized at Vangen Lutheran Church, Mission Hill.

June worked for 40 years as a registered nurse –10 years at Sacred Heart Hospital and 30 years at Yankton Medical Clinic, retiring in 2000.

She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 791, Yankton, SD, and the Vangen WELCA, Vangen Lutheran Church.  She loved visiting with her family and enjoyed gardening, canning, doing crafts, reading, doing word puzzles, travel and camping.

June is survived by Darrell, her husband of 63 years;  her five children and spouses-Peg Ekeren of Hasting, NE; Laurie (Jeff) Heier of Rawlins, WY; Kathy Ekeren of Yankton, SD; Brian (Sara) Ekeren of Mexia, TX; and Keith (Shannon) Ekeren of Sioux Falls, SD;  five grandchildren-Jesse (Anna) Erickson of Fort Worth, TX; Emily (Avery) Rothleutner of Gillette, WY; Zach Ekeren of Sioux Falls, SD; Parker Ekeren of Sioux Falls, SD; and Logan Ekeren of Sioux Falls, SD;  and one great grandchild, Leif Rothleutner of Gillette, WY.

She is survived by siblings Linda Greger, Barbara Johnson, Sandy (Bruce) Schweitzer, David Ridgway, Ray Ridgway, Robert (Tammie) Ridgway, Janice (Larry) Vanderlei, Gloria (Ted) Sauers, Brenda (Brian) Martin, Dwaine (Kim) Ridgway; brothers-in-law Marv (Marilyn) Ekeren, James (Donna) Ekeren; sisters-in-law Judy (Bob) Hackett, Helen Ekeren; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary June was preceded in death by her father T. E.  (Cara) Criswell; mother Melba (Richard) Ridgway, brothers Tom Criswell, Richard Ridgway, Jr.; brothers-in-law Garry Johnson, Maurice, Robert, Milford, Gene, and Dennis Ekeren; sisters-in-law Joetta, Kay, Rose, Janice, Janet, and Sharon Ekeren, Bonnie Silvernail, Judy Criswell, Mary and Kathy Ridgway; and son-in-law Craig Erickson.