June M. Stewart

June M. Stewart, 87, of Lake Hallie, WI, died peacefully Tuesday, January 23, 2024, under the care of St. Croix Hospice at Lake Hallie Memory Care.

On June 25, 1936, June was born to George and Ingrid (Kohlin) Hamm, Cadott, WI.  She grew up as a cheesemaker’s daughter next door to Hillside Dairy in Cadott. She graduated from McDonnell Central High School in 1953. June continued her education at the Minneapolis School of Business and worked for a time as a bookkeeper.

On August 30, 1958, June married the love of her life, Robert Stewart, which began their 65-year journey together. She followed her dream to get married, have a large family, and many grandchildren.

June enjoyed every summer with their children at their cabin on Lower Long Lake. She found time to read, knit or nap in the shade while watching her children playing in the water. The summer evenings were spent as a family around the campfire or teaching them new card games on rainy nights. Her monthly card club with “the ladies” was always a welcomed night out.

Once June and Bob’s children were all attending school in the 70’s, she began her 20+ year career driving a school bus for students with special needs. She loved “her kids” as they brought great joy to her every day. She cherished these relationships years beyond her retirement from Chippewa Yellow Bus Company.

June is survived by her husband of 65 years, Bob; daughters, Julie Stewart of Vancouver, WA, Celeste (Jeff) Loibl of Maplewood, MN, Denise Stewart and Peggy (Rick) Crank of Chippewa Falls; her favorite son, Paul (Kathy) Stewart of MI; grandchildren, Kevin and Eric Utterback of Vancouver, WA, Kayla (Bo) Hopkins, Brian (Miranda Swenson) Loibl, Paige (Zach) Ledman, Doug Stewart (Molly Hottman), Jack and Wyatt Eiden, Shelby (Hayden) Acker, and Kyle and Grant Crank; three great-grandchildren; sister, Judy (Gerry) Byrnes of Edmonds, WA; including many other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sister Ingrid “Juanita” Hamm; brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Harriet Hamm; nephew, Scott Hamm; niece, Carrie Hamm; and son-in-law, Kenneth Utterback.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12 p.m., Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 412 S. Main St., Chippewa Falls, with a visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the church.   Fr. Brandon Guenther will be officiating.  The interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Chippewa County Humane Association or Chippewa County Adult Special Olympics Agency # 3-09.