June Ellen (Lester) MCLAUGHLIN

MCLAUGHLIN, LESTER, BISGROVE, TAYLOR, FISHEL, HUNT, MIDDLEKAUFF, MCLAUGHLIN-MIDDLEKAUFF, AINGER, PETERSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/30/2008 at 10:32:20

BELMOND - June E. McLaughlin, 87, of Belmond died peacefully in her sleep at the Belmond Medical Center on Wednesday (Nov. 26, 2008) a day that would have been her 66th wedding anniversary. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond with the Rev. John Hemann officiating. Burial will be in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery near Belmond. Visitation will be from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E. in Belmond. There will be a parish rosary service by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas at 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home on Sunday and a Christian wake service and time of sharing at 6:30 p.m. Those wishing to share their sympathies through a memorial in June's name may wish to consider Hospice of Wright County, the Wright County Chapter of the American Cancer Society or their own choice.

June Ellen Lester, the daughter of Cardis and Maude (Bisgrove) Lester, was born Aug. 20, 1921, on her parents' farm in rural Clarion. As a young child, June was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist Church. She graduated from Clarion High School in 1939. After her education, June taught country school and worked for a time at a variety store in Clarion. June was united in marriage to James T. McLaughlin on Nov. 26, 1942, at the Catholic Church in Belmond. Their union was blessed with five children: Phillip, Marlys, Carolyn, LaDonna and Kathy. After the couple's marriage, June embraced the role of a devoted wife, mother and partner in the operations of the farm with her husband, Jim. She dedicated her energies and love to providing for the needs of her family. In addition to fulfilling the needs of her family as a nurturing wife and mother, June had been an area salesperson for Avon products for more than 40 years. Her outgoing personality, friendly smile, proficiency and wealth of knowledge of Avon products brought her countless awards and membership in the "President's Club" for many years. Her china cabinets were filled to capacity with beautiful hand-painted dolls, bowls, dishes, goblets, pins, and other figures she received her for her many achievements. June and her husband enjoyed traveling and had been to many places, including Ireland, Hawaii, Alaska and Las Vegas. In earlier years, June had done some needlework and was an avid bowler, participating in many women's bowling leagues. She also enjoyed playing the piano, listening to her favorite polka music and attending family gatherings, especially if they included little children. Her children reflect fondly upon Saturday outings with Mom and Dad to the K.C. Hall and Sunday afternoons filled with bowling and pizza. She looked forward to the competition of playing bingo and spending time watching her favorite game shows, which included "The Price is Right," "Wheel of Fortune," and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

June was a long-time member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and had been involved in the CDA and Rosary Society there for many years.
As the family reflects on her life and legacy they will cherish her memory as a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, one who was always there for them and focused on providing for their needs. She will be missed by all who knew her for her upbeat and welcoming personality, warm smile and the twinkle in her eye. June's memory will continue in the lives and hearts of her children, Phillip J. McLaughlin and his wife, Nancy, of Thornton, Marlys Taylor and her husband, Chuck, of Mason City, L.D. (LaDonna) McLaughlin and her companion, Randy Fishel, of Clear Lake, and Kathy Hunt and her husband, Brian, of Little Rock, Ark.; her grandchildren, Craig McLaughlin and his wife, Susan, Jane McLaughlin-Middlekauff and her husband, Aaron, Steven Ainger and his wife, Tiffany, Mark Taylor and his wife, Christiana, and Ryan Taylor and his wife, Elisabeth; her great-grandchildren, Ashly, Chase, Emily, Giselle and Madeline McLaughlin and Kaiya, Connor and Garrett Taylor; several in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews. June was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents; her parents; her husband, James T. McLaughlin, in 1992; her daughter, Carolyn Peterson, in 1998; her brothers, Leland, Frank and Edward; and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Mason City Globe Gazette, Iowa
11/29/2008