June Nietupski

Described as protective of her family, June Nietupski spent a lifetime being loving and caring with her family and later her grandchildren, as well as her great grandchildren.

June had many close friends over the years and yet treasured her time with her family. Her warm spirit will be clearly missed and fondly remembered by all those who knew and loved her.

June was welcomed into her family in 1928 and was aptly named June after her birthday of June 1st. Her father, Clyde Beattie’s career included designing Air Stream trailers, so the family moved around the U.S. He was also an artist and photographer and the family supported arts of all kinds for their children. June had many talents in the arts and crafts fields.

Her mother, Catherine Beattie stayed home and raised five children. It was a challenging time for all family’s back in the 1920’s and 1930’s. There was the stock market crash and the Great Depression. June learned how to be creative and frugal living through those times. As a youngster June loved to swim and roller-skate and was a prolific reader. She also excelled in math and science, which was unusual for women at that time. Growing up June and her family attended Lake Orion Lutheran Church.

As a teen, June worked for her father in a soft serve ice cream store. She graduated from Lake Orion High School in 1946 and began working for RCA. It was here that she met her future husband, Joseph Nietupski. June eventually converted to Catholicism and she and Joseph joined in marriage on Oct 4, 1949 at St Theresa OF Avila Roman Catholic Church in Detroit. Settling into life in Redford Township, they raised four children together; Catherine, 1950, Daniel, 1952, Nancy, 1955 and Denise, 1958.

June eagerly learned to include Polish favorites in her family meals. There included Kruschikis and pierogi, as well as other treats such as Danish pastries, coffee cakes and Lemon bars.

In addition to caring for her family, she was an avid bowler, winning many tournaments and championships. She knitted many sweaters for family and friends, crocheted and enjoyed reading. She enjoyed the music of Lawrence Welk and Andre Rieu. The radio was playing every morning on the local classical music station.

June was an avid supporter of local sports teams such as the Tigers, Lions and Red Wings. She also loved watching bowling and tennis. The weekend before her passing she watched the NFC Conference championship game with her family and will sadly miss the upcoming Superbowl.

June was not a big fan of television but she did enjoy the weekend shows of Red Skelton, Bonanza, Ed Sullivan and Lawrence Welk. Later June would be a supporter of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren’s interests.

In 2011 June and Joe moved to the New Amsterdam Condominiums in Jenison, MI. June became a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish. After Joe’s death on August 6, 2017, life changed for June. She remained active with her Bingo group at St Ann’s and continued with her knitting and reading. Her family visited frequently and often joined in dinner together. June’s love and devoted faith will be remembered and treasured by the special people in her life. Her memories of caring for her family and friends will remain in the hearts of her loved ones forever.

June Nietupski (Beattie), aged 89 of Grand Rapids, passed away at St. Ann’s Home early Sunday morning, January 28, 2018, with her family by her side. She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Joseph Nietupski; her siblings, Donald (Lillian) Beattie, Margaret (Bill) Marshall, Ruth (Ray) Donn, and Dorothy Little. She is survived by her children, Catherine Nietupski-Klug, Daniel (Prudence) Nietupski, Nancy Nietupski, Denise Nietupski (Nick Spooner); her grandchildren, Jesse (Jennifer) Klug, Benjamin Nietupski, Keith Nietupski, Karen (Leon) Clark; great-grandchildren, Samuel Klug, Kelly Nietupski, Milo Clark and Gillian Klug. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, February 1, at 10:30 am at St. Ann’s Home Chapel, 21261 Leonard St. NW. Relatives and friends may meet the family at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. on Wednesday from 6:00–8:00 pm and again on Thursday at St. Ann’s Home Chapel from 9:30 am until Mass begins at 10:30 am. To sign June’s guest book and to leave your own memory of her, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com