June Donna Steinacher

June Steinacher was born to Clarence Donald McClure and Anna (Soucek) McClure on June 18, 1923. In June’s words: “I was born ... in the farmhouse on William McClure’s 160-acre farm three miles west of Blue Hill, Nebraska. Dr. Laird and my Grandmother Henrietta McClure delivered me.”

Life was like every girl’s growing up on a Nebraska farm. Much time was spent helping with the house and small farm animals; playing with the neighbor children and her cat and dog. She also remembers “hiding” under the quilt frame listening to her aunts, mother and grandmothers visit during their quilting bee.

When June was 11, her father suddenly died from a massive heart attack while working on the road next to their farm. He was 34. June and Anna left the farm to live with June’s grandparents for about two years.

Throughout her early life, June lived with her grandparents when her mother’s teaching contracts required her to live in a different town. June enjoyed her time with her grandparents; her grandfather spoiled her when grandmother wasn’t watching! She often told about the barn dances held every weekend as the big bands would travel the small German towns. The children would play tag and hide-and-seek while the adults danced. And the children danced some too. As the night wore on, the children fell asleep on the benches with the band music playing.

June would fondly tell us of when she was old enough to spend summers at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln with her mother. Anna would spend her summers earning Continuing Education credits toward her teaching career and June would enjoy the campus. During off times, the two would be tourists and enjoy the big city. Not many girls had an opportunity like this.

After graduating from Milligan High School in 1940, she earned an associate’s business degree in Lincoln, NE and gained her first job at the Bulova Watch Company.

In Lincoln she and Murvil met. When he was called to active duty in California, June soon followed and they were married December 7, 1944 in the Alameda Naval Chapel. They remained close to other servicemen stationed at Alameda Air Station with Murvil, having reunions every few years at different home towns. Their first son Merwyn was born while Murvil was stationed in California.

After Murvil’s discharge in 1945, they returned to Nebraska to live and farm outside of Geneva. It was there that second son Byron was born. Many stories have been told by Merwyn and Byron of their years on the farm. Their lives were happy with plenty of space for boys growing up.

After a few years they visited Boulder, Colorado at the invitation of Murvil’s uncle and aunt. They liked it so much they settled in Boulder in 1954. June and Murvil lived the rest of their lives in and close to Boulder.

June worked with the University of Colorado Police Department, Parking Management Office; retiring in 1985 after 27 years.

June was active in their sons’ school activities and sports; a Den Mother in their younger years. She loved baking and decorating cakes for every special occasion. Her cakes were not only beautiful but also very tasty treasures. Her family delighted with the Kolaches, Runzas and fresh baked breads she served at their get-togethers.

In1966 Murvil, Merwyn and a number of friends moved a small trailer house to Murvil and June’s mountain property “Fourth of July” above Eldora, Colorado. Through the years it became a cabin for family and friends to enjoy with them. It was Murvil’s and June’s retreat from their busy weekly life. Barbeques and picnics with the Fourth of July neighbors were looked forward to by all. They enjoyed their time spent around Eldora and Nederland as well.

Over the years, many cruises to the Caribbean, Hawaii and Alaska were a highlight. They also loved traveling the United States in their motorhome and looked forward to their time spent seeing new sights.

In 1984 Merwyn and Byron honored their parents with a 40th Wedding Anniversary celebration at the Elks Lodge in Boulder. And again in 1994 their sons and families honored Murvil and June with a 50th Wedding Anniversary at The American Legion in Boulder. What a reunion they had with friends and family from far and near!

One last move was in store for the two. In 1989 they came to Nederland, CO to enjoy the mountains. This is where they lived until Murvil passed away October 3, 2002.

At that time June moved to Brookdale North where she lived for 17 years. She was involved with bridge, the resident store, her summer garden, activities, outings and the many friends of residents and staff. March, 2020 June moved to Sunrise of Boulder where she settled in comfortably with 24-hour care.

June’s love of her grandchildren and then Great grandchildren and Great-great grandchild was huge. She always missed them when they had to go home, commenting that our family is just too spread out. So she started one more tradition, Christmas in July. As the family reunited in the summers, she became the summer Santa, having gifts for everyone after a full Christmas dinner was enjoyed. She was very proud of the men and women her grandchildren became and always looked forward to seeing each of the younger ones blossom more each year.

She has been a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church since 1956; and was also a long-time long member of Boulder Elks Lodge 566 and American Legion Auxiliary 10.

June is remembered as a loving, proud, gracious lady; an honor to be your mother, grandmother and friend.

June was peacefully called to the Lord Easter Sunday April 12, 2020. A family graveside service completes June’s life with us April 21, 2020 with Deacon David Luksch of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church blessing June at Mountain View Cemetery.

Memorials in June’s name may be sent to Elevation Hospice, 80 Garden Center, Suite 108, Broomfield, Colorado 80020; or Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 2312 14th Street, Boulder, Colorado 80304.

Pallbearers & Honorary Pallbearers

Michael Steinacher Jennifer Page

Brendan Steinacher James Page

Brett Steinacher Gavin Steinacher

Lane Steinacher Colton Steinacher

Whitney Korotko Dawson Steinacher

James Korotko Braden Steinacher

Emery Alice Korotko Elliot Steinacher

MY THOUGHTS OF MOM

GRAVESIDE SERVICE 4/21/2020

How can one possibly identify or explain everything about their Mother within a short setting. I think it is utterly impossible, as it was for my mother, to raise two young boys and maintain complete control over them with their constant movement in and out of the house. Starting on the farm in Nebraska where we inherited the names Mud Hole Pete and Junk Man Joe (which of course my mother came up with due to our passions); it is a time in everyone’s life when you begin to hear, realize, and know your middle name as it seems to appear in your mother’s voice with different ranges in volume.

In 1954 we moved to Boulder and mom eventually went to work for the Justice of the Peace. After several years there, she moved onto the University of Colorado Security and Traffic Department where she eventually retired. It’s very possible some of you may have had a traffic infraction in which she collected a fine, but my brother and I knew enough to avoid that area once we could drive a vehicle!

Even though my mother had a busy schedule with working there was always time for my brother and me when she returned home in the afternoon. She always had love, compassion and understanding for us.

There was a complete understanding of right and wrong which was our responsibility to a greater extent as time moved on. She was a woman of deep faith as church services were a must every Sunday morning. My brother and I were on the manifest and there were no exceptions, even though we would pull the covers up and want to sleep in.

She would prepare lunches and we would travel up Boulder Canyon for a family picnic. We had many family outings to the mountains above Boulder.

My mother and father loved to go dancing and sometimes they would drag me along which I enjoyed. They traveled the United States in several different Recreational Vehicles and enjoyed various ocean cruises after they had moved to Nederland from Boulder.

As time progressed and families grew my mother loved and cherished all of her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She was able to enjoy many family gatherings, birthdays, holidays and special occasions surrounded by her loved ones.

Upon my father’s passing in 2002 my mother stayed with my brother and his wife for several months and then moved to Brookdale and lived there for 17 years. Just recently she moved to Sunrise of Boulder.

The love of our mother will always be there for my brother and me, and for not as long but just as much for her daughters-in-law and extended family. The memories of a lifetime are there forever which we can cherish and hold onto. We will always cherish her lovely smile, laughter and unconditional love.

Thank you all for being here today as I am sure you are all taxed out with the current global conditions and trying to keep your daily lives on track. I am sorry for our family members and I who cannot be here due to the current circumstances and the distance everyone is from here. We will be here in our hearts as we have visited this beautiful setting for many years. Take pride in your services as we appreciate them to the fullest extent.

To end the service I would like to share this gospel hymn from my Grandfather’s personal gospel hymn book, as my mother lost him when she was 12 years of age. The hymn is, “Onward, upward, homeward”.

Byron Steinacher

BJS 4/16/2020

“ONWARD, upward, homeward”

Joyfully I flee

From this world of sorrow,

With my Lord to be;

Onward to the glory,

Upward to the prize,

Homeward to the mansions

Far above the skies.

“Onward, upward, homeward!”

Here I find no rest,

Treading o’er the desert

Which my Saviour pressed;

“Onward, upward, homeward!

I shall soon be there,

Soon its joys and pleasures,

I, through grace, shall share.

“Onward upward, homeward!”

Come along with me;

Ye who love the Saviour,

Bear me company,

“Onward, upward, homeward!”

Press with vigor on,

Yet a little moment

And the race is won.

BJS 4/16/2020