June L. DiGrandi

When reflecting on the life of June DiGrandi, it is easy to see both her unwavering strength and her unconditional love for her family and she was always willing to go above and beyond to serve others. Nothing brought June greater joy than spending time with her loved ones, no matter how simple the moments. She was a shining example of kindness and generosity, and she was well known for her solid work ethic and her sense of humor. Dearly missed, June will be forever held in the hearts of those who knew her best.

The late 1930s are remembered as a tumultuous time for the United States and the rest of the world. The Great Depression still loomed over the country, and while many families continued to struggle to make ends meet, tensions surrounding WWII were quickly reaching a boiling point. During this dark time, there was a ray of light for Joseph and Myrtle (Downing) Dauksza of Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they eagerly anticipated the arrival of their third child. On July 20, 1937, their wait was over, and they welcomed their daughter, June Louise, into their family.

Growing up, June, "Junie" or sometimes "Junebug" was a typical young girl of her generation in many ways. She was raised in the family home in Grand Rapids alongside her two older sisters, Barbara Jean and Virginia “Ginger.” The three Dauksza sisters were very close and were “West Side Girls.” June’s father, Joseph, supported the family by working in a warehouse and later as a salesman for West Side Beer. June’s mother, Myrtle, worked at Wurzburg’s Department Store while serving as the matriarch of the family, caring for her children and her home. Holidays were spent with family, friends, and even neighbors, as the Dauksza family welcomed everyone with open arms and good food. Many of June’s fondest memories were of summers spent at Big Star Lake in Baldwin, traveling to attend her sister’s accordion performances, and visiting her grandparent's farm in Cascade.

Throughout her childhood, June enjoyed playing with her paper dolls and making clothes for them. She was an avid fan of sports from a young age, and she loved playing in the yard and taking walks with her dog. The Dauksza family were members of a church on the West side of Grand Rapids. June attended local schools, including Stocking Elementary School and Union High School. She excelled in her studies and balanced her education with activities as well, such as playing clarinet and violin, participating in the glee club, and working as the sports editor for the Aurora yearbook during high school. Following her graduation from Union, June went on to pursue further education at Lakeland Community College and finally Ohio University.

All who knew June can surely agree that, of all the things she loved in life, she treasured her family above all else. She married a young man she had met in the 7th grade, Edward DiGrandi in 1957 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Together, June and Ed welcomed their beloved children, Michael, Steven, Gregory, and Mary Jo, into their hearts and home. June thrived in her role as a mother and devoted herself to caring for her children. She was very involved in her children’s schools, always fulfilling whatever need the school had. June loved cooking for her family and making each child a special meal for their birthday. She joined the workforce in 1975, putting her skills with numbers to good use in accounting for various companies throughout her career. Though her marriage to Ed would eventually end in divorce, June was always grateful for the time and children they shared together.

Later in life, June was overjoyed to become a grandmother and even a great-grandmother. She adored her grandchildren and doted on them whenever she could. In 2011, June was lucky to once again find love with Bert Korhonen, a dear friend from her childhood. As she would often quote from the song by Count Basie, “love is better the second time around!” June always considered herself blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

Never one to sit still for long, June pursued many hobbies to stay busy in her free time. She enjoyed listening to a variety of music, including classical, jazz, show tunes, and rock. June enjoyed John Grisham and Tom Clancy novels as well as anything that involved the American Revolution, or the Revolutionary War. She loved all kinds of sports, and over the years, she rooted for the Detroit Tigers, Michigan State University, the New England Patriots, and the University of Michigan. Later in life, she enjoyed working in her yard and taking walks with her dogs. June continued nurturing her faith at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and later at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, both in Grand Rapids. She enjoyed spending summers with family and friends at the cottage on Pickerel Lake. June loved Lake Michigan and the ocean. She was an avid traveler and visited many locations across the country and around the world, including an especially memorable family vacation to St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. June took also an exciting Mediterranean cruise. She loved eating out at restaurants, and she would always order seafood and a chocolate dessert. Among June’s most prized possessions were her doll collections, her coins and glassware, and her beloved dogs. In her later years, she and Bert enjoyed attending their grandchildren’s activities, spending time in West Palm Beach, relaxing at Big Whitefish Lake and sharing their lives together.

As family and friends can certainly attest, June DiGrandi truly understood the secret to a life well lived. She was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times. A dedicated mother and grandmother and was an unshakeable foundation to her family. June was a friend to many and beloved by all. Her primary focus was building deep and personal relationships with those around her, and her heart of service allowed her to touch the lives of countless others. Though she will be deeply missed, June leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

June Louise DiGrandi, aged 86, of Pierson, MI, formally from Powell, OH, died on Thursday, February 22, 2024 in the comfort of her home and in the company of family. She was born in Grand Rapids, MI the summer of 1937 to the late Joseph and Myrtle Dauksza. Along with her parents, June is preceded in death by her infant son Michael and sister Virginia Lee Wynalda. She is survived by her three children, Steven DiGrandi, Greg DiGrandi, Mary Jo DiGrandi as well as by grandchildren, Mark DiGrandi, Troy DiGrandi, Michelle DiGrandi and Clare DiGrandi; great grandchildren, Alexander and Sophia DiGrandi. Also surviving is her sister Barbara Turner and many nieces, nephews, and friends. A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 8, 2023 at 12 noon at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, (2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504). Relatives and friends may meet with her family prior to the funeral beginning at 10:30 AM. June will be laid to rest in Rosedale Memorial Park Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to either: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105), Nationwide Children's Hospital, (700 Childrens Dr. Columbus, OH 43205) or to the Humane Society of West Michigan, (3077 Wilson Dr NW, Walker, MI 49534). To share a memory or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com