June Diedrich Barker 96 beloved mother, grandmother and friend left this earth to meet her heavenly Father Thursday, November 16, 2023. June lived at Peaceful Pines Senior Living, where she was lovingly cared for until her final, peaceful moments. Stillwater Hospice was also a caring part of her final days. Her family is most grateful to both teams.

June Mundeen Pederson was born June 22,1927 in Nunda, South Dakota into a family of 6 children. Her father was a grocery store owner, and taught her the first lessons in entrepreneurship. She graduated from high school in Estelline, SD, where she met her high school sweetheart, Gordon Diedrich. Gordon and June were married on November 24, 1946 in Hendricks, MN. They were married for 40 fun-filled years. Together, Gordon and June launched several successful businesses including several Standard Oil Service stations. Always looking out for family, June's brother Rodney was later made a partner in the business. June was the indispensable partner, bookkeeper and finance manager. Together, they had a heart for community service work, and were active in Lions Club, the Salvation Army, as well as many other service organizations. June also spent many years as a country schoolteacher, and loved teaching Sunday school and leading cub scout groups. June was a gracious hostess, known for her special frosted brownies, and lively family Christmas Eve parties filled with Norwegian baked treats. In addition to her love for baking, June was a pianist with a real passion for dancing. After Gordon's passing in 1986, this is how she met the man with whom she would happily spend the next 30 years of her life.

Jack Barker and June married on February 14, 1990 after courting on the dance floors of the Elks Club and Senior Citizens Center. When life demanded less time on the dance floor, June and Jack enjoyed bird watching, and marveling at the beauty of Jack's ranch land in the Black Hills. They particularly enjoyed time with their children, many grandchildren, and eventually great-grandchildren. They remained members of the Elks Club and Westminster Presbyterian Church, June spending many years as the church treasurer. June, and Jack, were people of deep faith, and loved bible studies and praying together. Together they moved into a retirement community, Peaceful Pines, and this is where they both would spend their final days. The staff was very dear to them.

June is survived by her children, Steve Diedrich, Vikki Engel, Mike (Connie) Diedrich, Linda (Dave) Koch and Deb Barker, all of Rapid City; sister Gay Olson (Hendricks, Minnesota); sister-in-law Marilyn Pederson (Minneapolis, Minnesota}; grandchildren, Cory Diedrich, Kalin McMahon, Kerry Engel, Kasey Sorensen, Chris Diedrich, Ross Diedrich, Jack Fowler, Jada Bergstrom, and Dana Koch; great-grandchildren Adante' Carter, Nathalie Hellvig, Merina Semple, Merissa Erdmann, Kathryn McMahon, Allie McMahon, Keegan Engel, Grace, Eric and Levi Sorensen, and Theodore Diedrich; and several great-great grandchildren. Family was the joy of June's life.

She was preceded in death by her husband Gordon, husband Jack in 2020; her parents Philip and Burnet (Halseth) Pederson; siblings Bert (Joan) Pederson, Phyllis (Howard) Leuning, Robert Pederson and Rodney (Kathy) Pederson; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial has been established to Dakota Lions Sight and Health.