Erna June Sullivan

June Sullivan (née Erna Hanss) died peacefully at home in Colorado Springs on November 5, 2024, at the age of 88. She was born November 19, 1935, in Frankfurt, Germany to Erna and Julius Hanss. She endured childhood in war-torn Germany, growing up to have an affinity for America and its people. She met her first husband, Master Sergeant William F. Layton, USAF (Ret.), while he was stationed in Germany. Together they raised three children in New York, Georgia, Italy, France, and Germany, before settling in Colorado Springs. Upon immigrating to the United States, she adopted the name June. She proudly became an American citizen while maintaining a bond to her Frankfurt family and the artisanal Bäckerei Hanss started by her parents, and still operated today by her nephew.

June met her second husband, Lieutenant Colonel Robert L. “Sully” Sullivan, USAF (Ret.), while working as a bookkeeper at the Air Force Academy Officers’ Club. They enjoyed many years together entertaining friends, living in Germany on Sully’s final military assignment, caring for their dogs, and in their retirement, starting a pair of antique stores in Colorado Springs, Antique Mart and Repeat Performance, which they ran together for nearly 30 years. The stores were a must-stop for set and costume designers and collectors from across the country.

June is survived by her children, Linda Guiette, Deborah Pniak (Robert), and William Layton (Sally); her seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren who knew her as Omi; her four stepchildren; and her nephew. She was predeceased by her husband Sully, who passed in 2012, and her sister Lieselotte Kramer (Heinz) of Frankfurt, Germany.

The family would like to thank her grandchildren, Justin Layton and Elise Layton, who lovingly cared for her at home until her passing, and the Gentiva Hospice team.

A memorial service will take place on November 22 at 11 a.m. at Faith Presbyterian Church, 1529 N. Circle Dr., Colorado Springs.