A. June Blanco
Feb. 4, 1957 - Sept. 28, 2014
Alice June Blanco was born on Feb. 4, 1957, in Wood River, Illinois, to Ralph and Alice (Hoemm) Schuette, of Bethalto, Illinois. June was baptized in the name of the Triune God on March 10, 1957, at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto. She confirmed her baptismal faith in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit on April 4, 1971, at Zion, Bethalto. She lived her life trusting in the mercies of Jesus Christ for her salvation, striving to serve him and show his love to her neighbors.
June received her education at Zion Lutheran School in Bethalto, Wilber Trimpe Middle School in Bethalto, and graduated from Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto in 1975. In 1979, she received the bachelor of arts in education (K-12 certification) from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Illinois. June taught theology, science and chemistry at Lutheran North High School in St. Louis, Missouri (1979-1981 and 1982-1984). She taught mathematics and physics at Aims Community College in Ft. Lupton, Colorado (1985-1997).
On July 15, 1979 she married Charles W. Blanco at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto, Illinois. Chuck and June recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. They had no children.
Following college June moved to St. Louis, where her husband attended Concordia Seminary. From 1981 to 1982 she lived in Ocala, Florida, where her husband served his year of vicarage/internship; while there she took calculus and other mathematics courses from a local community college. After her husband finished his seminary education, they moved to Ft. Lupton, Colorado, in 1984, where Chuck served as pastor of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. June was very active in the congregation, serving as a Sunday school teacher, vacation Bible school teacher, youth leader, member of the altar guild, member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, and on multiple boards and committees. In 1985 she organized a church choir and served as its director until 2001. She enjoyed all music, and especially church music, hymns and choral pieces. She played the piano and the saxophone.
In 2002, June moved with her husband to Seward, where Chuck began service in the Theology Department at Concordia University. They both became members of St. John Lutheran Church. Due to advancements in her Huntington’s Disease, June’s activities in Seward were more limited, but as she was able and with the assistance of faithful friends, June was regular in attendance at chapel services and choral events at Concordia. She welcomed pre-seminary students into her home. June participated in Bible studies and book clubs; she very much enjoyed listening to audio books. She enjoyed traveling, included among her travels were visits to Hawaii, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, England, France, New Zealand, New England and Alaska.
Limited in her activities by Huntington’s Disease, June was the grateful beneficiary of many wonderful friends and caregivers in Colorado and Nebraska. Neighbors, Concordia students and church friends added to her safety and joy as they gathered at her home, watched movies, and enjoyed coffee with her. In 2010, June transitioned to Ridgewood Care Center in Seward, where she remained until her death. She continued to receive loving visits from friends and family at Ridgewood, and she attended St. John church weekly, along with various Concordia University events.
June is survived by her husband, Chuck, of Seward; by her sister Doris Palisch and husband Dan of Jackson, Missouri; by brother-in-law Robert Blanco of Cave Creek, Arizona; by three sisters-in-law, Barbara Blanco of Simi Valley, California, Janet Holloway and husband Ted of San Pedro, California, and Betty Reichert and husband Bill of San Pedro, California. She is also survived by 16 beloved nieces and nephews.
June was preceded in death by: her mother, Alice Schuette; her beloved father, Ralph Schuette; her step-mother, Catherine Schuette; her parents-in-law, Ira and Lucille Blanco; two sisters, Corinne Sorbie and Vivian Bruening; and her brother-in-law, Rev. Steve Bruening.
June will be remembered for her joyous spirit, her generous hospitality, her personal kindness, and the way she responded to the many challenges of Huntington’s Disease with extraordinary dignity, perseverance, tenacity, and grace. Above all she is to be remembered as a grateful believer in her Savior Jesus Christ, to whom she entrusted herself fully in this life and for the life to come, including a sure and certain hope in the resurrection of the body to life everlasting.
A funeral service was held Oct. 1 at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward with the Rev. Scott Bruick officiating. Honorary casketbearers were Jon Sorbie, Matthew Bruening, Joshua Bruening, Jason Palisch, Brent Palisch, Thomas Reichert and Peter Reichert. Interment was Oct. 3 at Rose Lawn Memory Garden in Bethalto, Illinois, with the Rev. Mark Hofferber.
Memorials are in care of Zion Lutheran School, Bethalto, Illinois; Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Fort Lupton, Colorado; St. John Lutheran Church, Seward; Concordia University, Seward; or Huntington’s Disease Society of America (www.hdsa.org) (In Lieu of Flowers)
