June Elaine Bottema's Obituary
June Elaine Bottema, age 86, went to meet her Lord on Sunday, August 24, 2014. She was born on August 30, 1927, the daughter of Jeanette Marie (Krause) Connor and Willis Henry (Sackett) Connor. She married Gerald L. Bottema on June 30, 1950. They have one son, Gary Lee Bottema.
June graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1945. She attended Muskegon J. C. and graduated from Western Michigan University as a teacher.
June started her teaching career in the rural school of Robart and later in West Robinson teaching all the subjects from K – 8 at the same time. Later she went to Ferrysburg School until the big fire. She then taught in the Holmes Elementary School in Spring Lake for the rest of her career. She taught for 30 years and retired in 1983. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching her students and was well known for her ability to self-pace the students in her room.
She was a member of the former Christ Community Church in Spring Lake and was involved in teaching Sunday school, evening youth classes, and other activities. She wrote one of the summer programs for Daily Vacation Bible School. In later years she enjoyed attending the Harvest Bible Chapel in West Olive with her family. Even though she had Alzheimer’s music was still an important part of her life.
She enjoyed camping and fishing with her husband, Gerald. Together they visited 49 out of the 50 states. Her hobbies were music, gardening, reading books, and traveling. She played the violin and viola in the West Shore Symphony in Muskegon for many years starting when she was in the 7th grade.
She is survived by her husband, Gerald; their son, Gary (Nimah) Bottema; grandson, Matt (Amy) Bottema; and their children, James and Olivia; granddaughter, Angela (Mike) Bommerscheim; and their two children, Jonathan and Joshua. She was preceded in death by her sister, Betty Baldus; and her brother, Gene Connor. She will be greatly missed.
She was cared for many years by her husband, Gerald until Alzheimer’s became too advanced. She was then shown great loving care by Hospice of North Ottawa Community and all of the attendants at the Sierra Assisted Living Home in Grand Haven.
A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday August 30, 2014 at VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home in Grand Haven with Pastor Ken Gentzler officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior at the funeral home. Memorial contributions to Hospice of North Ottawa Community or Sierra Assisted Living Home are appreciated. Please share memories with the family and sign their online guest book at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
The family is being served by VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home of Grand Haven.
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