June Irene (Westphal) (Buss) Bethke passed away on December 1, 2019. June was born on June 5, 1927, in the Town of Almon, Wisconsin, to the late William and Hannah (Weisnicht) Westphal. She was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wittenberg, Wisconsin and later confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Zachow, Wisconsin, where she grew up. Her confirmation verse was Psalms 119:105. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." June attended La Follette Grove Elementary School and Bonduel High School. On August 19, 1944 she married Wallace Buss at Zion Lutheran Church in Zachow. He preceded June in death on May 23, 1994. On Jan. 4, 1997 she married Kenneth Bethke at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bonduel. He preceded her in death on May 5, 2006.

June enjoyed golfing until she was in her late 80's, she loved baking, especially baking cookies for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she tirelessly tended her flower gardens, was active in St. Paul Mission Circle, Shawano County Women's Club and other civic groups in earlier years. She enjoyed spending time with her children and their families. After retirement, she enjoyed winters in Florida with Wally, and then later with Ken.

June and Wally were blessed with seven children. Before moving to Bonduel, they owned a small grocery store in Tilleda, Wisconsin. After moving to Bonduel, June worked part-time at what was Parker's Stop and Shop, while raising her children.

Having survived many cancers and surgeries from the age of 40 on, June was an advocate for and had genetic testing done to find out that she had a genetic cancer syndrome, Lynch Syndrome, caused by mutations in the DNA, which are inherited and passed on to future generations. She was able to share that news with her large extended family, which ultimately gave many people information that helped them to catch cancers that otherwise may not have been caught on time.

June is survived by: her children, Susan (George) Peterman, John (Ruth) Buss, Donald Buss, Ellen (Dennis) Rudzinski, and Charles (Linda) Buss. She is also survived by 2 daughters-in-law, Bonnie Buss and Patricia Buss, 19 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 5 step great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson and 4 step great-great-grandchildren. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by: her two husbands, Wally and Ken; two sons, Michael Buss and William Buss; a granddaughter, Jennifer Peterman; two sisters, Harriet, in childhood, and Gladys (Donald) Simon; her brother, Howard (Jean) Westphal; and three sisters-in-law.

A funeral service for June will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, December 6, 2019 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bonduel with Rev. Timothy Shoup officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday December 5, 2019 from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the church and again on Friday from 9:30 am until the time of service.

June's family would like to thank the staff at Meadowview Assisted Living for their loving care over the past year and Southern Care hospice for their help through mom's final journey.