June DeVere Leider, 94, of Mitchell, passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the Mitchell Care Center. Her funeral service will be held at 10am Monday, March 25, 2024, at the Methodist Church in Mitchell, Nebraska, with Pastor Craig Collins officiating. Interment will follow at the Mitchell City Cemetery. Visitation will be at 9am at the Mitchell Methodist Church. It is respectfully requested that in lieu of any flowers, memorials in June’s honor be made in care of the Mitchell Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made by viewing June’s memorial page at www.jones-mortuary.com. Jones Mortuary is entrusted with arrangements.
June was born August 15, 1929, on her grandparents’ farm south of Hay Springs, Nebraska. She grew up without electricity, had coal heated stoves, and outdoor toilets. She managed to find enjoyment being outside and playing with the dog, kittens and lambs.
When June turned 5 years old, she thought she should start school. However, due to her very small stature, her parents did not think she should start. June got her way and started school. She had to walk through snow drifts and pastures, traveling 2 miles. In the winters, her dad would take her by horseback.
June lived during the drought and the depression. Her family was very poor, and hard work was done by all the family. Clothes were hand-me-downs, and meat was scarce. Difficulties on the farm brought the family to move to Missouri. However, it did not go well, and the family moved back in a year.
June worked very hard with her father in the wheat and hay fields, and driving tractors that required crank starting. At age 13, June worked for her room and board so she could stay with family friends and go to school in Chadron.
At age 16, June passed exams to be a country school teacher. She taught in various places, but at District 30 on the Mirage Flats, she met her future husband, Jake. His niece attended the school, and he had to deliver water. Jake asked her on a date and it was love at first sight, and in 2 weeks, they were engaged. They were married on October 10. Jake did not want his wife to work, and within 16 months, Larry and Sandra were born. In 1954 and 1955 Cynthia and Teresa were born. June had gone from full time teacher to full time mom.
After 15 years, June decided to pursue her teaching career again. She began taking evening classes at the Scottsbluff Junior College. Jake was working with potato harvesting. June earned her associates degree and started teaching at the Highland Country School. It was during this school year that June was expecting her fifth child, and did not renew her teaching contract.
June enjoyed her children and stayed home to take care of them. Teresa was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome and doctors advised to place her in an institution. June & Jake decided not to do this, but to keep her home as long as they could provide what was needed for Teresa. June was instrumental in starting a school for the mentally handicapped. June was awarded the ARC Nebraska Teacher of the Year in 1988.
June decided to work on her Bachelor’s Degree in teaching. She took her children to Chadron for 9 years of summer school. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree. She went back to teaching for the city of Scottsbluff. By this time, the state was requiring an endorsement in Special Education, so summer school continued. Now, June was just shy of credits for her Master’s degree, so she continued to go to school until 1974 and earned her Master’s.
June retired in 1994, but continued to substitute in Special Education classes until she was 70. She helped with the Special Olympics after that, as Teresa enjoyed the Special Olympics. June joined the Master Gardeners and Organic Garden Groups. She helped care for many flower gardens around Mitchell and the county courthouse. June was very active in the Mitchell Methodist Church. She enjoyed the Sunday School classes, Church, and UMW. June volunteered at Regional West Medical Center making wreaths and centerpieces for the Gift Shop. She enjoyed garage sales
nearly every Saturday. After retirement, June became an avid reader, preferred over television. June enjoyed collecting dolls and making clothing for them.
June had a contagious smile, always willing to help, and provided whatever a person needed. She will be missed by many family, friends, and students.
Survivors include her sisters: Virginia (Frank) Schmaljohn, Darlene Leider, and Mary Joe Travis. Children: Sandra Janes, Cynthia (Larry) Taylor, and Jake Alan (Ronna) Leider. Daughter in law, Nancy Leider. Grandchildren: Jason Swedberg, Annie Peterson, Alice Fillingham, Amber Cummings, Andrew Leider, Jacob Leider, Rebecca Zwieg, Shae Taylor, Colton Taylor. Great-grandchildren: Mollie Ann Peterson, Harper Peterson, Fletcher Fillingham, Griffin Fillingham, Elsie Cummings, and Audrey June Cummings. Numerous nieces and nephews.
Those preceding her in death were her parents, Jasper and LaVange King-Boyles, husband, Jake Leider, sister, Donna Green, son, Larry Leider, daughter, Teresa Leider, great-granddaughter, Kaylynn Peterson, son-in-law, Bernie Janes, and brother-in-law, Henry “Hank” Leider.