June Marie Bustraan

With a journey that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, June Bustraan lived a life of purpose while holding her loved ones near. She was guided by her unwavering faith, and through the life she lived each day she exemplified what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord she loved. June was a loving wife and mother, although she just might have argued that nothing was better then becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother later in life. Although she will be deeply missed, she leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts.

It was great to be an American during the decade that we commonly recall as the 1920s. Radios, refrigerators, and washing machines were all becoming part of our homes, and with cars that were widely mass produced on assembly lines cars were more affordable for the average American. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1921 that was filled with great joy for a young family from Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they announced the birth of the baby girl they named June Marie on June 8th. The youngest of three children born to Oscar and Charlotte (Klint) Carlson, she was raised in the family home on Gordon Street, NW, alongside her older siblings, Lawrence and Gaylord. Her father worked in the furniture industry and also as a chauffeur while her mother was a homemaker.

In many ways June was a young girl of her generation. She and her family were members of Mission Covenant Church on Broadway Avenue, attending services every Sunday. June also sang in the church choir. She attended local schools where she sang in their choral group as she was a trained singer. After graduating from Central High School in 1939, June took classes at Grand Rapids Junior College for two years. Her first job was working at Globe Knitting Company.

June’s job there became an integral part of her future as it was there that she met the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Edward Bustraan, and they soon began dating. Ed was called to serve in the Army during WWII, and during that time June regularly wrote him letters. The couple fell deeply in love, and with a desire to spend the rest of their lives together they were married on June 27, 1946. The newlyweds initially lived with his mother in an apartment on Alpine Avenue, NW, but they later purchased their first home at 744 Pine Street, NW. Ed worked while June focused her time and attention at home and raising their two children, Denise who was born in 1949 and David who was born in 1953. As a family they were members of Alpine Avenue Christian Reformed Church where June was very active singing in the choir among being involved in other activities. As a family they looked forward to summer vacations in a rented cottage on Sand Lake in Northern Michigan. They also took regular Sunday picnics and even made a couple trips down to Florida. In 1967, June and Ed were in a terrible automobile accident, which left them both laid up for some time.

Throughout her life June was a bustle of activity. She was very close to her brothers, and they had a longstanding tradition with the Carlson Saturday morning breakfasts at the Peppermill Grill. June loved to bowl and golf on local leagues, and she loved card games, especially Canasta with the “Fab 5.” This was a group of four lady friends who regularly got together for card games. With a love for music throughout her life, June played the piano, and she was also an amazing seamstress who made outfits for Denise for a time. For a time, June and Ed regularly canned peaches and beets. When Alpine Ave CRC merged with Highland Hills CRC and became Westend CRC, she and Ed remained active members. June continued singing in the choir, attending regular Bible study, and was in the Mary Martha Society and the Royal Circle. In the early 1980s, June and Ed sold their home and moved to a condo where they made many new friends and got to know several of their neighbors. During their retirement years, she and Ed enjoyed taking bus trips with friends, and throughout her life she loved classical and symphony music.

Family was first and foremost in June’s life. When her granddaughters came along, she looked forward to seeing them as often as she could, and she made a point to be a part of all their special events and activities. June made delicious Sunday dinners and Christmas dinners that were full of traditional Swedish dishes. She became interested in genealogy and was able to trace her family all the way back to Sweden. June reached out and contacted some family back in Sweden, and she even made a couple trips there to visit them.

Life was forever changed for June with the death of her husband in February of 1983. Although it was a difficult life transition, her strong faith and love of her family sustained her. She later bought a trailer at Layman's Landing, a campground resort where she summered for 10 years, making many new friends. She continued regularly spending time with her family as well as her many friends. She often stayed with her son Dave and his wife Sheri at their place on Indian Lake in the summers. Later on, her daughter Denise moved in with her to help her as she had various health issues to deal with. When she need more care, June moved to the Christian Rest Home this past November. There, she received loving care from a caring staff and also made made friends. Initially, June was placed under hospice care, but she eventually got so much better that she graduated form hospice. When her health began rapidly declining more recently, June enjoyed frequent visits from her family.

Caring, thoughtful, funny, and selfless, June Bustraan was a gift to everyone she met. Life wasn’t always easy for her, but her faith never wavered. Always concerned with others, June was gracious and genuine in her love of all who were near. She cherished her family, and it was when surrounded by the love of her family that June was truly happy. Deeply loved, she will be forever missed.

June Marie Bustraan, (Carlson), aged 95 of Grand Rapids, passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2017 at the Christian Rest Home. She was preceded in death by her husband Edward Bustraan and her brothers, Lawrence (Genevra) Carlson and Gaylord (Gerry) Carlson. She is survived by her children, Denise Brander, David (Sheri) Bustraan; her granddaughters; Jessica Bustraan, Stephanie (Brent) DeKryger, Heather Bustraan; one great grandchild; many nieces, nephews and friends. June was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and a friend to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. She was a longtime member of Westend Christian Reformed Church, 1015 Westend NW, where the service to celebrate June’s life will be held on Thursday, March 30, at 11:00 AM. Burial in Rosedale Cemetery. Friends and family may meet her family at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Home – 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, on Wednesday from 5:00 – 8:00 pm and again at the church on Thursday from 10:00 am until the service begins at 11:00 am. Contributions in her memory may be made to VIS (Volunteers In Service) or Mission India. To read more about June’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com