June Kersting

H. June Kersting was smart, athletic, played the organ and sang, did all kinds of handicrafts - and raised a family of four children while running her own beauty salon. Her 84 years of life were filled with adventure, laughter and much love.

The "Roaring 20's" was a time of fun and newly discovered freedoms, a perfect time for Russell and Clara (Van Dyke) Ortquist to welcome the birth of their second child, June,on October 15, 1920. Along with her sister Lynn-Elle and her four brothers, Eugene, Jack, Milton and Ronald. June spent her childhood in the Muskegon area. Her mother died when June was two years old and shortly after, her brother Eugene. June was raised by her maternal grandparents, Phillip and Hattie Van Dyke.

Attending the Oakview Elementary School, June went on to attend Muskegon High School. An all "A" student, she also ran track and developed a love for music. She taught herself to play the organ and sang with a trio of cousins in church. Favorite songs were "I'll Fly Away", "The Old Rugged Cross", and "White Christmas".

On May 30, 1941, June married Gerald Kersting. Their home rang with the sounds and laughter of their four children - Patricia, Gary, Dennis, and Merilee. Her family recalls the time when Jerry received a bonus from work and told June she could spend the money on herself. Not June Kersting! The money went for new clothes for the children. Her many domestic talents included writing poetry, many kinds of needlepoint, ceramics, macramé, cake decorating, clock making and country painting.

June loved spending time with Jerry. He would play the harmonica while she played the organ, and when not making music, she could be found dancing to tunes like "Spanish Eyes", "Tennessee Waltz" and others. The couple loved to camp and often traveled with George and Hazel Woodrum to the western United States, Canada, and east to New York. Winters were spent camping at Meadowlark Camp Ground in La Belle, Florida with Jerry's relatives.

During World War II, June taught herself and her sister-in-law Helen how to drive. She also worked at Brunswick in Muskegon. Wanting to do her part for the family, June graduated from the Vanity Beauty School and opened her own salon called the Pink Poodle Beauty Salon.

As the years went by, June found more things to do. She volunteered as a crossing guard at the Phillips School, and as a den grandmother for her grandson Barry's Cub Scout troop. A wonderful bowler, June was a member of the 600 Club at the old Northway Lanes. She was also a member of the D.A.V. Ladies Auxiliary, where she shared her many talents for crafts.

June "Sis" Kersting, age 84, died Wednesday, July 6, 2005. She was preceded in death by her husband Gerald in 1992. She was also preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers, Eugene and Milton "Bud" Ortquist, son in law, Roger Patterson and great granddaughters, Malorie and Miranda. She is survived by her children, Patricia (Alan) Lemke and Gary (Rose) Kersting, both of Twin Lake, Dennis (Cyndi) Kersting of North Muskegon and Merilee Patterson of Hesperia; 11 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; 2 brothers, Jack (Eva) Ortquist of Muskegon and Ronald (Janet) Ortquist of Ludington; 1 sister, Lynn-Elle (Bryce) Colsman of Colorado; 1 sister in law, Janet Ortquist of New York. 1 brother in law, Marvin Kersting; 2 sisters in law, Corrine Woodrum and Verna Vander Wel. A Memorial Gathering for family and friends will be held Saturday, July 16, 2005 at 3:00 PM at the Lemke Residence, 6444 Fiske Rd., Twin Lake. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimers Association. You may visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory and make a memorial donation. Arrangements by the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Achterhoff Chapel, 1751 Peck St., Muskegon, Michigan.