June M. Preuss

June Margaret Preuss, 85 of Palmyra, WI passed away on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at AngelsGrace Hospice Center in Oconomowoc, WI with family at her side.

June was born June 1, 1936, to George and Adelia (Zantow) Pollari in Milwaukee, WI. She was the fifth born of seven children. June grew up in Milwaukee, WI most of her life except for a period when her family lived in Baraboo, WI where she attended elementary school and has fond memories of visiting her grandparents farm. As a child she enjoyed roller-skating, riding her bike, and playing softball. Some of her fondest memories are playing ball with her children and grandchildren. June and her sister, Georgia, had endless stories about growing up with five brothers and how tormenting that could be. Although Georgia and June were known for their bantering back and forth, they remained the best of friends and allies throughout their lives.

During her teen years, June’s family moved to Milwaukee where she attended Milwaukee Girls Technical School and often babysat for the neighbors, Caroline and Gerald Schicker. It was Caroline that persuaded June to meet her younger brother, Arthur (Art) Preuss and the rest is history. On December 19, 1953, at the age of 17, June and Art were married in Dubuque, Iowa. Together, between 1956 and 1969, June and Art would have six children, Gregory, Pamela, Kim, Patrick, Sherry, and Jamie. They remained married for over 31 years until Art’s passing in 1985.

June worked in many different capacities during her life. From bank teller, factory worker, to home daycare, but by far her most memorable work was at Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy, WI and the Riverside Theatre in downtown Milwaukee. It was at Alpine Valley that June met two lifelong friends, Kris and Susie. Wherever June worked, she left an impression as being an honest, hardworking, and friendly person. She liked to talk to people but was also well known for her boundaries.

During her children’s formative years, she was often called “mom” by her children’s friends because of her caring and friendly demeanor. June also had a spicy side and did not mince words and never hesitated to speak her mind. When asked if she ever served in the military the answer was no, but her daughter did jokingly say that she had the demeanor of a Drill Sergeant from time to time. June lived her life with passion and had a zest for life.

June was a longtime member of Palmyra Methodist Church where she attended regularly until COVID. She was an avid Green Bay Packer fan, loved working in her flowers, watching birds outside her window (her favorite being the Cardinal), and making jewelry with her friends. June also loved a good game of Cribbage, playing Canasta, and just about any board game she could convince a friend or family member to play. June was a mom, grandma, great-grandma, and great-great grandma. She left an impression on many people and will be greatly missed.

June is survived by four children, Greg (Lola) Preuss of Adams, WI, Kim (Jim) Rodriguez of Auburn, CA, Sherry (Craig) Kircher of Whitewater, WI, and Jamie Preuss of Johnson Creek, WI son-in-law, Michael Ruisch of East Troy, WI, and daughter-in-law, Abby of Northern WI; 22 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren, and 5 great, great grandchildren. June is further survived by her sister, Georgia Maytum, her two very best friends, Kris and Susie, and many, many more dear relatives and friends.

June is preceeded in death by her parents, George and Adelia Pollari, her husband, Arthur Preuss, her children, Pamela Ruisch and Patrick Preuss, her grandson Gregory Preuss, and her five brothers, Melvin Hein, Jerry Pollari, Corky Pollari, Robert Pollari, and Donald Pollari.

In lieu of flowers, donations in June’s honor can be made to Palmyra United Methodist Church, St. Jude’s Children Hospital or AngelsGrace Hospice.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Palmyra United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 18, 2021. Rev. Norman Bude will officiate the service accompanied by Chaplain Jennifer and Music Therapist, Lindsey Teuteberg. In memory of June’s love for the Green Bay Packers, the family invites you to wear Packer attire if you so choose.

Burial: 2:30pm at Oak Ridge Cemetery, East Troy, WI

Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Eagle & Palmyra, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence please visit gibsonfuneral.com

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