Junice Mae Meyer

Loving mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother Junice Mae (Benke) Meyer, 86, died Sunday morning, October 9, 2016 at Woodland Lodge in Fergus Falls, MN. Junice is now reunited with her husband Bernie and in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Junice was born at home on the farm, in Ottertail County, outside of Dent, Minnesota, to Elmer and Emma (Sonnenberg) Benke on May 22, 1930. Junice was the first of seven children. Junice was baptized and confirmed in the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Dent, Minnesota. She attended 1st and 2nd grade at the Dent School. During the week, when school was in session, Junice lived in Dent with Grandma Johanna. She loved staying with Grandma Johanna and always spoke fondly of that time. Junice finished her later elementary grades in country school. Junice’s best friend was Dorothy Meyer. Their friendship introduced Junice to Bernie Meyer, Dorothy’s brother. After graduation from high school, Junice worked at Marion Lake Resort then moved to Fergus Falls, MN, where she has resided since 1949.

Junice worked at the Woolen Mills Store in Fergus Falls for two years. Her friendship with Bernie grew more serious, and he proposed marriage. They were married on July 16, 1950. Junice was an amazing homemaker, loved raising her four children and spending time with her eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Junice enjoyed going to dances, listening to music, traveling, playing cards, and going for walks. Junice and Bernie were married for 47 years.

In 1963, Junice started June’s Drapery Service. Her business grew so fast she had to enlist Bernie’s help right from the start. After Bernie retired he became her fulltime assistant.
Junice’s business brought her great satisfaction, she loved the people she worked with, and developed many long lasting friendships. Over the years when Junice was out and about she was recognized by her many customers as the “Drapery Lady!” Junice was a devoted volunteer at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Fergus Falls for 65 years. Trinity Lutheran Church was her second home. Her church family was blessed ten-fold by her membership. She loved the Lord and always felt close to him attending to the church’s business. In June, 2014 Trinity Lutheran Church Celebrated “Junice Meyer” Sunday in recognition of all her many years of volunteer service.

Because of age related conditions, the last years of Junice’s life were spent at the Sheridan House and the Woodland Lodge. Mother always spoke fondly of her “New Home!” She enjoyed friendships with the residents and appreciated the staff in her care facilities, along with the Hospice staff.

Junice will be missed by her four children; son, Byron Meyer of Maplewood, MN; daughters, Brenda (Loren) Kronemann of Lewiston, ID, Bonnie (Steven) Porter of Richmond, MI, and Barbara (Kevin) Widmer of Jamestown, ND; her brothers, Thomas & Norbert Benke of Dent, MN; sisters, Donna Weegman of Rice Lake, WI, Lois (Ben) Rosentreter of Lindstrom, MN, Susan (Allyn) Gerds of Harsen’s Island, MI and a single sister-in-law Bernadette Grazier of Indianapolis, IN. Junice’s memory will be in the hearts of her many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Carrying on Junice’s memory will be her eight grandchildren, who brought her much joy; Daniel (Karl Rist) Kronemann of Rochester, MN, David (Amy) Kronemann of Lewiston, ID, Mackenzie Meyer of Oakdale, MN, Ashley (Nate) Johnson of Lino Lakes, MN, Emmalee and Cassandra Porter of Richmond, MI, Jacob (Janelle) Emo of Jamestown, ND, and Lindsey Emo of Fargo, ND; three great-grandchildren; Owen, Desirae, and Luke Kronemann, all of Lewiston, ID. Junice recently found out that she will be a great-grandmother for the 4th and 5th time. Ashley and Nate Johnson have announced that they will be having twins in December.
Special mention and many thanks go to her niece and nephew, Wendy & Reid Olson of Fergus Falls, who were always there for Junice at a moment’s notice.
Junice was preceeded in death by her husband Bernie Meyer, her parents Elmer and Emma Benke, her brother William Benke, infant child Connie Meyer and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; Alfred and Yeonette Meyer, Katherine and Harold Rennpage, Guy Grazier, Cecil and Dorothy Koesling, Loretta Benke, Bill Weegman, and Carol Benke.

Memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church or to Lakeland Hospice.

Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, October 14, 2016 at the funeral home and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 11 a.m. Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.
Clergy: Reverend Noah Rogness
Burial: Trinity-Faith Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN
Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, MN