June Ring, 80

June Bertha Martha Duchow was born on Nov. 3, 1937 in Havillah, WA, the third of seven children born to Rev. Marcus T. Duchow and Dorothea (Klotsch) Duchow. She was baptized into the death and resurrection of her Lord Jesus Christ at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Havillah, WA on Nov. 21, 1937. In her early years she moved with her family through various calls in Washington, Oregon, and Nebraska. She was confirmed in her baptismal faith at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Grants Pass, OR in 1952.

She graduated from high school in Meadow Grove, NE in 1956 and attended Concordia Teachers College in Seward, NE, graduating in 1960. She taught in Billings, MT and Bay City, MI before God led her to a one room country school, Prairie View, in rural Norris, SD. There she married local farmer/rancher Lawrence Ring (Aug. 5, 1966) whom she had met previously when her father served as vacancy pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Norris. To this blessed union were born four children: Rachel Ring of Dallas, TX; Bruce Ring (Jessie) of Norris; Marcus Ring (Kristy) of Gregory, SD; and Daniel Ring (Michelle) of Seabeck, WA.

In addition to keeping a Christian home, she enjoyed singing in church choirs and gardening and was actively involved in Ladies Aid (LWML) and (SDSU) extension club. She was an avid reader, one of her favorite books from her childhood being “Cheaper by the Dozen.” Although she fell a little short of twelve children of her own, she shared her motherly compassion with the many children she babysat. After her children had grown she also enjoyed substitute teaching, quilting, puzzles, SD Cattlewomen, writing and presenting papers for the West River Historical Conference, and traveling to visit and care for her grandchildren. In all her travels she was proud to accomplish her goal of visiting all 50 states.

Remaining to cherish her memory are two sisters: Rose Wendt (Bob) of Olmsted, OH and Joyce Gierke (Chuk) of Omaha, NE; two brothers: James Duchow (Chris) of Stillwater, MN and Mark Duchow (Jane) of Imperial, MO; sister-in-law Judy Duchow of San Diego, CA; her four children, eighteen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, etc.

She has joined in eternal life her parents, Marcus and Dorothea Duchow; her husband, Lawrence Ring; two brothers, Floyd Duchow and George Duchow; and many friends and relatives with whom she shared her faith-filled earthly life.