Fay June Schmeeckle

Fay June Schmeeckle, known as June, age 90, passed away on Thursday, February 23rd, 2023 in Aurora, Colorado.

She was born on July 13th, 1932 to Ray E and Dorothy A. Spencer Ostendorf in Gothenburg, Nebraska.

She is survived by her daughters Monica (Jeff) Miers and Marcy (Frank) Mass. Grandchildren Bridger Miers, Grayson Miers, Kylie Mass and Samantha Mass.  Stepchildren Cindy (Randy) Schneider, Connie (Rod) Diaz, Pam (Ron) Jacobson, and Mike (Sara) Schmeeckle. Many step grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Sister-in-law Helen Ostendorf. Many nieces and nephews. June is preceded in death by her husband Carl Schmeeckle, her parents Ray and Dorothy Spencer Ostendorf, twin brother Ray Junior Ostendorf, brother Henry Roger Ostendorf and sister-in-law Margaret Ostendorf, and half sisters Faith Henslee and Vera Starks.

June lived in Gothenburg for 85 years. She was thrust into the caregiver and homemaker roles rather quickly after her mother died when she was 5 years old. She took care of her brothers as they grew up together. She graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1951. June traveled to Idaho to visit her half sisters and worked in a cannery there for a summer but preferred home in Gothenburg. She worked in a few different cafes in town and most notably at the Gothenburg Movie Theatre where she was known as the Popcorn Lady. She worked and saved money so she could help her Dad buy a lot and build a house of their own. It was later in life when she met a really great guy who was just her size, the love of her life, Carl. Carl and June married on May 2nd, 1970. A few years later, they welcomed two daughters and June’s main job was being the best mom and helping Carl with his business, Schmeeckle Land Leveling.

June loved flowers and gardening. She embroidered and enjoyed arts & crafts, puzzles, reading, bingo and cornhole. She had a soft spot for animals and over the years had many types of animals but most recently she enjoyed the companionship of her two cats, Cleo & Niko, and doted on them.

After Carl’s death, June moved to Aurora, Colorado to be closer to her daughter, Monica. For the last four and a half years, she lived in a 55+ community with many new friends to spend time with and many activities to participate in, including little field trips around the city of Denver. She even served on the Resident Council. June reflected recently that she lived a great life and had fun even though she had a few blips in the road. She loved her family and friends. She will be missed but we know she is happy to be reunited with her loved ones in Heaven.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Thursday, March 2, 2023, 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm with the family present from 4:00-6:00 pm.

Services will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, March 3, 2023 at 10:30 am with Pastor Dan Urman officiating.

Burial will follow in the Gothenburg Cemetery, Gothenburg, NE.

Memorials may be given to the Gothenburg Public Library, 1104 Lake Ave, Gothenburg, NE 69138.