Ellen June was born on June 3, 1932, on the family farm three miles west of Leighton.  She was the oldest of three daughters born to Ernest and Bess (De Prenger) De Cook. June liked sharing that her dad and the doctor would sit outside and have coffee and cookies waiting for Bess to be ready to deliver. Ernest paid the doctor $25 with cash they saved from the sale of cream and eggs.  June attended Pleasant Grove Grade School and graduated from Pella High School in 1950.  After graduation, she worked in the dictaphone department at Rolscreen.

On June 2, 1951, she was united in marriage to Willis Van Haaften in her parents' home. They were blessed with three daughters: Jane Ann, Ina Elaine, and Karen Beth.  June and Willis began their lives together on a farm northeast of Leighton.  In 1965, they moved to the De Cook farm where they lived until July of 1993 when they moved into their dream home designed and built by Willis, a log cabin overlooking the beautiful town of Leighton.

June's faith and joy for the Lord was abundant and contagious.  She was a life-long, beloved member of Ebenezer Reformed Church. Here, she made her profession of faith (1945) and was a Sunday School teacher, involved with RCW and Circle, and a member of the bell choir.  In her later years, she liked helping with summer bible school. She truly loved her church family and worshiping together.

Willis and June enjoyed many outdoor activities together, especially camping, canoeing, and bicycling. You could often find June engaging in some of her favorite activities, including sewing, baking, playing piano, quilting, crocheting, and rug hooking.  You could always count on Mom and Grandma to fix anything that needed mending.

June selflessly gave her time to others.  She was involved in Lay Witness Missions, Teen Challenge, and various roles at Cursillo. "Grandma June" at Lake View Camp was known and loved by all.  She served as the Hospice office manager and volunteer coordinator for several years. June played a big role in the establishment of the Comfort House that opened in 2007 and continued to volunteer there. Over the past ten years, she enjoyed her time helping out at the Frisian Farms Cheese House. Her zest for life, unwavering faith, generosity, sweet spirit, and unconditional love made it easy to see why countless people cherished her as a mentor and a friend.

She was so proud of her grandkids and great-grandkids. She would often write letters to them, overflowing with encouragement and prayers.  June also enjoyed playing games with them, particularly ping-pong, carpet ball, and cribbage.

June faithfully walked by her husband's side until his passing on November 12, 2018.  She was blessed to be able to live out her life in their log home. She loved to be outside tending to her flowers and even mowing her own lawn at 93 years old.

June was welcomed to her eternal home on October 26 while at the Pella Comfort House.

June is survived by her family:

Jane and Don De Bruin

The late Christopher De Bruin

Jill and Mike Bandstra

Kaylee, Addison, Mattingly

Ina and James Boeke

Renae Boeke and Dexter Wallis

Julia

Rachel and Jon Caspers

Leighton, Jovi

Karen and Scott Ramsey

Trisha Tyson

Wyatt, Brooklyn

She is also survived by her sisters Marilyn Veenstra and Nancy Van Roekel, her brothers-in-law Arlan (Lois) Van Haaften and Ervin (Glenda) Van Haaften, and sister-in-law Nelva (Jaren) Vander Linden.

June was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Bess De Cook, her parents-in-law Arie and Mabel Van Haaften, her brothers-in-law Harley Van Roekel and Wilbur Veenstra, and her grandson Christopher De Bruin.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Lake View Camp in memory of June.

Lake View Camp
P.O. Box 836, Pella IA 50219