June Lavinia (Heikes) Hyde, 72, of rural Fergus Falls passed away unexpectedly, in her home Monday, May 27, 2019.
June was born on June 23, 1946, the fourth child of five in the family of Siebo and Joyce Heikes who lived on a farm near Kasson, MN. In 1950 the family moved to a farm near Hayfield, MN. She received her early education in a one-room country school known as Rock Dell District 43 where she attended through 6th grade. Following another family move, she ultimately graduated from Mora High School in 1964. Following graduation, she moved to the Twin Cities and began a career in the early years of computer technology. She had a natural ability for mechanical operations and enjoyed trying her hand at repairing numerous items. She worked for a number of years at the Grain Terminal in St. Paul, followed by several stints in banking in the Twin Cities. She married Leo Rollin Hyde in 1972. They subsequently moved to a small acreage northeast of Fergus Falls where she resided until her passing.
June enjoyed participating in the activities of her community, particularly in her faithful years of work as the Stavanger Lutheran Church secretary. She also taught Sunday School for school-aged girls and was active in the Ladies Aide ministry. She thoroughly enjoyed working part-time in the community caring for elderly people in their homes when they needed a dependable, helping hand to support their desire to live independently. She treasured her little rural country home which allowed her a taste of the farm life she loved as a child and which afforded her the privacy and connection to nature that meant so much to her.
June’s faith in Jesus permeated every aspect of her life. She was known for her kind, helpful ways, and her unique sense of humor. Her interest and love for photography cast her into the role of family historian. She faithfully documented many of the 73 Annual Heikes Reunions by creating extensive albums of photos and mementos that tracked the events of 12 busy families and their descendants. She treasured each of her aunts and uncles and cousins and particularly her many nieces and nephews who were charmed by her fun-loving ways and her quirky sense of humor. June cared lovingly for her parents who lived with her and benefited from her diligent, loving care for the last years of their lives.
June was preceded in death by her parents, Siebo and Joyce (Whitaker) Heikes of Fergus Falls; husband, Leo, in 1982; sister, Marilyn Heikes.
She is survived by brother, Ronald (Margaret) Heikes of Fergus Falls; sisters, Etta (Jerry) Erickson of Maplewood, and Margery Ragan of Bloomington as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Stavanger Lutheran Church, rural Fergus Falls
Clergy: Pastor Matt Rieniets
Interment: Lake Lida Baptist Cemetery, rural Pelican Rapids
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.