June Louise Crum

June Louise (Slaughter) Crum was born July 7, 1925 at the family home south of Montrose, Kansas. She was the oldest child of Kent Roland and Anna Louise (Miller) Slaughter, and passed from this world January 7, 2012 at the Belleville Health Care Center, Bellville, Kansas. She was 86 years of age.

She attended the Montrose elementary and high school, graduating from Montrose Rural High School in 1942. June married Jesse B. Crum on October 29, 1943 in Beloit, Kansas. To this union were born three sons, Brian Craig, Terry Lynn and Jan Alan. Family was first and foremost to June.

She worked diligently to nurture and care for her family through thick and thin. June had a big heart and would give her utmost to help others. June had strong ties to the community living in Montrose until the later years. June moved to Mankato, Kansas, after her husband’s passing and then to the Belleville Health Care Center when her health began to decline.

She attended the Montrose United Methodist Church and was a member of the Montrose Women’s Community Club for many years. June loved to crochet and embroider beautiful and delicate items. She also played the piano (she could play a mean Boogie Woogie!). Husband Jesse was adept at playing various musical instruments from Clarinet and Saxophone to Guitar, Banjo and ukulele. With June at the piano, Jesse with one of his instruments and mother Anna with the accordion there was wonderful music resounding in the household.

June was known as a superb cook and baker of the most delicious pastries, pies and cakes. She was often called on to provide some of her wonderful baked goods. She helped support the family by working in the food service area. June worked in the Roy Thomas’s Montrose Café for several years and people came from across the surrounding countryside to have some of June’s pies. With the closing of the Thomas café, June began working in the hospital at Mankato. She was employed in the kitchen at the hospital for 17 years before finally retiring.

June was preceded in death by her husband Jesse, son Brian Craig and her parents.

She is survived by her son Terry of Freeport, Bahamas, son Jan and wife, Laura Crum of Montrose, brother Robert and wife, Marjorie Slaughter of Laramie, Wyoming, two step grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service for June L. Crum will be (was) Saturday, January 14th 2012, at 2:00 p.m.at the Melby Mortuary Chapel, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Gerry Sharp officiating. Mrs. Pat Grout was the organist, and Pastor Gerry Sharp will sing (sang) “Amazing Grace,” and “In the Garden,” Casket bearers will be (were): Jan Crum, Robert Slaughter, Aaron Skudlarek, Brian Slaughter, Ron Michael, and Dan Imler. Interment will be (was) in the Burr Oak Cemetery, Burr Oak, Kansas. Visitation will be (was) Thursday and Friday, at the Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. The family suggests memorials to: Alzheimer’s disease and Related Disorders Association, in care of the Mortuary.