Today would have been my Grandma's 92nd birthday had she not passed on, May 5th. She was a wonderful person...and she brought so much joy to the lives of her family and friends.
Born June 1st, her parents named her June. I've never known another June, have you? I've always liked that name, and thought it fit her perfectly.
Grandma was born in Council Bluffs, IA to John Sylvester and Rose (Robinson) Shannon. She had two brothers and three sisters. June graduated from Thomas Jefferson H.S. in June of 1933. The early to mid-30's were Depression years and my Grandma earned $3 a week plus room and board working as a live-in nanny for two children. She met my Grampa Connie in 1935 when some mutual friends decided that my Grampa needed a date for the Omaha Motorcycle Club Christmas Party. He was a good-looking motorcyle guy...my Grandma hooked herself a real hunk! Their dating consisted mostly of Connie visiting her at the Nelson's house where she worked as a nanny. They were married August 23rd, 1936 in June's parents home in Council Bluffs with family and close friends attending. Their first house they rented for $5 a month. My Grandparents had 4 children; Baby Connie (who died when she was only 2 years old), their son Harley, Martha and my mom, Margie. When her children were young, June worked from home, but later, in the early 50's she went to work for a department store and continued to work in retail for the next 30 years. My Grandma loved to shop...I'm pretty sure I inherited that gene from her! Motorcyles have been my Grandpa's passion basically all his life and my Grandma was always very supportive. She even had her own "Harley" (a son and a motorbike)! They loved traveling together in their travel-trailer after their kids were grown.
My Grandparents have lived healthy and happily in their home on Wedgewood for the past 27 years enjoying the outdoors and looking after the squirrels and birds in their backyard. Their yard is filled with flowers, rhubarb and several tomato plants. They would eat out almost every night because according to my Grampa, "June would rather dust the stove than cook on it!" My Grandparents would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this summer. That is incredibly amazing to me! What a legacy to us, their 12 grandchildren, of their life long commitment to one another. As I quote my Grampa, "Patience, compromise, and a sense of humor are needed from both partners to manage a healthy marriage." They loved eachother for a lifetime.
As for me, I will always cherish the memories I have of my Grandma. Eating Skinner's Raisin Bran with her in their travel-trailer on their visits out West. Visits we made back to Iowa at Christmas and for their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Sitting in Grandma's kitchen watching the birds and squirrels together. And I will always cherish the beautiful hand-knit afgahns, baby sweaters and Christmas stockings my Grandma made us, and the photos and memories that I'll have to share with my children. We will miss you Grandma...Until we see you again...WE LOVE YOU.
**Information and dates were gleaned from "An Autobiography by Connie Schlemmer". Thank you Grampa for writting your life story for us kids and the generations to come. I am very proud of you and the life you've lived.
These are my sad faces. I'm not mad yet...I'm just really unimpressed with the situation.
