June A. (Keim) Heideman

June A. Keim was born in the family home in Tecumseh, Nebraska, to Lucille and Louie Keim on June 3, 1940. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, Tecumseh.  Her dad’s construction business, building bridges and culverts across the state, found the family moving to new locations before coming back to Tecumseh where June attended high school, graduating with the class of 1958. It was at a community building Sweetheart Dance her junior year that June met Harley Heideman. His ornery smile and outgoing personality proved too much to resist and the two were married at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on July 26, 1958. The newlyweds lived west of highway 50 near Elk Creek until moving to the home place, with the long driveway, just east of St.Peter’s church. 

Harley and June were blessed with three children, Tami, Bob, and Ricky. As a young family they spent time with friends whose children became playmates for their own. When Harley began to assist at auctions, June did as well, her job was clerking.  She also clerked for Kerner True Value before partnering with her close friends in a craft business that started as dolls and evolved into Back Home Wreaths. Later when Harley took a job as a rain and hail crop adjuster, June accompanied him across the state. At first she was the passenger, but after his first stroke, she became the driver.

June was happiest when she was on the farm. She loved the menagerie of animals that always seemed to find a home there. Her favorite were the sheep and the baby lambs. It was her idea to travel to western Nebraska to adopt rescue burros, a decision the rest of the family was not as keen on. As her kids grew up, she also developed a fondness for chihuahuas. The grandchildren loved to spend time on the farm as they never knew what to expect when it came to animals or great finds at an auction or a flea market. 

June held counsel with her own heart. She wasn’t one to talk about her feelings. After the loss of her two sons, June focused her energy on caring for Harley even as her own health deteriorated. When she was unable to stay on the farm, she moved to town and there family and friends and her chihuahua Tina looked out for her. June was on hospice care the last months of her life before passing away on July 7, 2019.

June is survived by her daughter Tami Nielsen of Elk Creek, her daughter-in-law Karen and husband Dave Wolken of Tecumseh, grandchildren Jason Nielsen and wife Sonia of Elk Creek, Kristen DeBauche and husband Jimmer of Beatrice, Kellen Heideman of Omaha, Emily Schroeder and husband Ethan of Lincoln, great-granddaughter, Caitlynne Burrows, sister Annie Kent and husband Daryl of Gretna, sister-in-law Verlys Keim of Tecumseh and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Harley (Dec. 29, 2016), sons Bob and Rick, son-in-law, Rolly Nielsen, Jr. and brother Mike Keim.

  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 11, 2019 at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, rural Elk Creek, Nebraska with Rev. Robert Schermbeck officiating.

   Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska.

   Memorials may go to the family’s choice.

   Inurnment will be in the St. Peters Lutheran Cemetery, rural Elk Creek, Nebraska.

   There will be a light dessert luncheon and time of fellowship following the graveside.

   Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

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