June Gieseke, age 81 of Fosston, MN, formerly of Bejou, MN, died Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at Perham Living Center.

June Odella Helling, the youngest daughter of Oscar and Bertha (Rono) Helling was born June 8, 1931 in Lake Hanska Township, near Hanska, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at Lake Hanska Lutheran Church. June's Christian faith was always her anchor and no matter what hardship she was going through, her faith kept her strong. June grew up on the Helling farm and attended District #54 Country School through the eighth grade. She then moved to New Ulm, MN and attended the New Ulm High School. She completed an Apprentice Nurses Training Course and began working at the Loretto Hospital in New Ulm while in her Sophomore year of High School. June was a natural at caring for others and loved working as a nursing apprentice. She spoke fondly of her experiences while working in the hospital and shared many memories of the patients she helped take care of.

On December 4, 1948 June was united in marriage to Marlin Gieseke. They lived in New Ulm for a short time before purchasing land in Chief Township near Bejou, MN, where they began farming in 1951. Blessed with 11 children, the couple made their home and raised their family in Bejou until Marlin's death in 1990. In 1992, June moved to Fosston and lived in a lovely little home for almost 20 years. Following a diagnosis of stomach cancer in 2011, June moved to the Perham Living Center where she resided until her death. She always had a hug and kind word for all the workers and other residents. Her entire life was dedicated to her family and she gave so much love and time to her ten children and their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. June had a green thumb and loved making things grow, especially flowers and ivy. She was an avid Minnesota Twins Baseball fan and loved to play cards, but her greatest joy was always her family.

June is survived by her 10 children: Lonny (Judi) of McIntosh, MN, Lynnel (Don) LaPort of Twin Valley, MN, Gail (Dennis)Behm of Lengby, MN, Patti (Jim) Paul of Eagan, MN, Michael (Kathy) of Winger, MN, Leslie "Susie" (Terry) Lee of Richville, MN, Loren (Mary) of McIntosh, Randy (Pam) of Brooks, MN, Gerri (Joe) Swiers of Bejou, MN, and Jeannie (Steve) Krebsbach of Waubun; 33 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Arden Helling of Mentor, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant daughter, Terri Lynn Gieseke; grandson, Ryon Gieseke, granddaughter, Jill Gieseke; four brothers: James, Orville, Millard and Lawrence as an infant; two sisters, Loretta Bentdahl and Delores Heller and many sisters/brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and other relatives.

God Bless the memory of June Gieseke.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, November 16, 2012 at 2 pm at First Lutheran Church, Mahnomen, led by Pastor Rod Tornquist. Special music will be provided by June's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jesse Behm will be the pianist and Danny Behm will be the guitarist. Serving as pallbearers will be All June's grandsons and all the granddaughters will be honorary bearers.

Visitation will run from 5-7 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at the Anderson~Mattson Funeral Home, Mahnomen.

Burial will be in the Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery, Mahnomen.