June Kersten

June Eleanor Kersten was called to spend Christmas with Jesus on December 11, 2020. June may have had many titles and worked many places, but what truly describes her occupation is “Mother,” “Grandmother,” and “Great Grandmother.”

June was preceded in death by her parents, Helge Edwin Lundberg and Hannah Victoria Lundberg, a brother, Roy Lundberg, and one granddaughter, Lori Rachael Zukas.

June is survived by three children; Lynn Followell, Janet Barwick and Lee Kersten, eleven grandchildren; Jeremy Followell, Jonathan Followell, Lindsey Simmons, Libby Pritchard, Leah O'Hara, Leslie Overturf, Luke Barwick, Will Barwick, Brandon Kersten, Nicholas Kersten and Emily Kersten, twenty great-grandchildren and a large extended family in Sweden, including a beloved cousin, Babro Marko.

June made Christmas special for all of her family and is now doing so at Jesus's side. She was a beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother who shared her love with others through her cooking. Heaven now has someone to make dinner and desserts to which none others compare. She is without doubt, making the best rhubarb pie Heaven has ever known to the loss of those of us left behind.

She saw the good in others, even those who didn't see it in themselves. She loved her immense family and was fiercely proud of them. Her kitchen reflected her desire to bring happiness to others as the refrigerators, freezers and cabinets are still filled with ingredients that were destined for bringing others joy through her loving cooking. She would always joke about the fact that no matter how angry she may be with you, it didn't matter, all that matters is how much she loved you. Even in her final moments she thanked all of those who surrounded her for their love and care.

June loved reading and writing and provided many entertaining articles on Facebook giving great detail and information about people and places that have impacted history. June prided herself in her Swedish heritage and in her knowledge of her ancestors. She was shrewd but fair in judging those in her life and their actions. She had a humorous side that many didn't see or understand, unless you knew her well. She felt God’s presence in the peace and majesty of the Smokey Mountains. She loved all God's creatures and the birds and squirrels in her backyard waited patiently for their daily treats provided from her precious resources.

June loved music and could often be found at her home or her daughter's home playing the piano beautifully. Although she would never acknowledge how good she was, she amazed us always with her ability. She instilled this love of music in her family, even those of us who were musically lacking.

 She has always been supportive of her family and will continue to be so in our thoughts and decisions. Christmas will never be the same for those of us left behind. We are filled with a bittersweet joy in our loss, yet believing God must have needed her for all of the amazing things she was capable of and has called her home to be with Him. Still, we find ourselves left behind to mourn our loss, our tears are not for her, but for ourselves in our desire to keep her here with us. We love you, Mom, and look forward to that time we see you again on that distant shore… with an everlasting love, your family.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 2pm at Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Pastor Todd Greiner officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Tuesday from 12pm until the time of service at the funeral home.

Due to health concerns related to the COVID-19 virus, those attending the service are asked to follow social distancing guidelines and wear a face mask.

For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit bluefuneralhome.com