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June (Gehrke) MacDonald, 94
1922-2017
June Pearl MacDonald passed from this life on Saturday, March 25, 2017. June was born June 1, 1922, to Hazel (Carlson) and Ewald “Mike” Gehrke in Wenatchee, Wash.
Her early years were spent in Davenport where her parents owned the Blue Mouse Theatre for a time; Loon Lake where her maternal grandparents homesteaded and owned/operated a large dairy and icehouse; and the Chelan/Entiat area where her dad worked in mills and her mom worked in the numerous Wenatchee orchards and packing houses. As a child “Junebug” enjoyed working in the garden and raising chickens, but especially relished being turned loose to ride her horse and play with friends and her older brother, Ernie. June’s high school years were spent in Grand Coulee, Wash. She graduated from Grand Coulee High School in 1939, and within the next year the family moved to be near her brother Ernie as he worked to establish a cattle ranch and farm in the Springdale, Wash., area.
June married Ivan Costich on Jan. 14, 1941, and her only child, Ronald “Ronnie” Ivan Costich was born exactly one year later. Although the marriage only lasted a few short years, Ron was the apple of June’s eye. When Ron was a young boy, June went on to attend “beautician” school, graduating in July 1952. After graduation, she worked at a beauty salon in Spokane. She later met and married Jay Loomis in 1953 and shortly thereafter, she and Jay moved to North Idaho, where they bought a large farm in the Cocolalla valley. Jay worked as an ironworker, taking him all over the country (and eventually away from her), but June worked the farm, raising her Hereford steers and hay, as well as enjoying her horses, cats and chickens. She always loved the farm life, and her animals occupied much of her time. June was happy when her son, Ron, returned home from serving in the Army and settled on a nearby farm in Cocolalla to raise his family.
June began working nearby at MacDonalds’ Hudson Bay Resort/Marina in Bayview in 1969, cleaning cabins to help support her farm. She soon fell in love with the charming owner, James “Jim” MacDonald, and they were married Aug. 18, 1969. She sold her farm and moved to Jim’s home overlooking the resort and beautiful Lake Pend Oreille. She continued working at the resort with Jim; his mother, Nina; and his two grown sons (Gary and Scott), helping to keep the cabins and grounds clean, tidy and beautiful. June was never one to be idle; she kept herself busy and productive. She enjoyed serving as hostess alongside Jim for numerous dances and parties held at their home, and she and Jim were a “force to be reckoned with” at frequent pinochle parties with their many dear friends.
June had a wonderful knack for color and style, and kept a lovely home. Her graciousness and hospitality made it easy for the resort’s many friends and visitors to always feel welcome. Ron and his family visited often, walking around nearby Farragut State Park or the docks and feeding the birds and ducks with Grandma and Grandpa. When Jim semi-retired, so did June, and they enjoyed being “snow birds” — spending winters in Apache Junction and Mesa, Ariz., for nearly 20 years. June enjoyed her life with Jim at Bayview and was a fixture there for more than 40 years. She lost her darling “Jimmie boy” in December 2012. Less than a year later, June moved to Bristol Heights Care Facility in Coeur d’Alene.
June was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved son, Ron; Jim’s wonderful son, Scott and her darling, Jim. June is survived by her brother, Ernie Gehrke of Springdale; granddaughters Betsy (Todd) Conery of Dalton Gardens, and Jennifer Costich-Thompson (Ned Thompson) of Priest River; two great-grandsons, Grant and Carson Conery; and her daughter-in-law, Sally Sacht. She is also survived by Jim’s family, Gary (Mary) MacDonald of Bayview; Marsha Ellefson of Spokane and Sherri (Michael) Barber of Spokane; as well as, grandchildren Meghan (John) Benscheidt, Ryan James “RJ” (Amanda) MacDonald, Justin MacDonald, Erin Barber, Alexandra Barber and Thomas Barber.
June will be laid to rest next to Jim, at a graveside service at 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 7, 2017, at Greenwood Memorial Terrace in Spokane. Friends and family are welcome.
In lieu of sympathy flowers, the family invites you to share a bouquet with someone living whose day would be brightened by a thoughtful act.
Please visit June’s memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com. Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.