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1927
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June Lorraine Berquist
Oct 21, 1927 - May 24, 2013
June Lorraine Berquist, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away on May 24, 2013. She was 85.
Born June Pernu in Eveleth, Minnesota on October 21, 1927, she was raised in Virginia, Minnesota primarily by her maternal grandmother Jenny Lannenmaki Laakso, an immigrant from Finland. As a child, June spoke Finnish and began school knowing only a few words of English. Because of this, she was somewhat shy and reserved, a characteristic she retained much of her life. June graduated from Virginia High School where she was an honor student and played in the band and sang in the choir. While attending Virginia Community College, she met Gunnar Berquist, a WWII verteran, who she would later marry and and celebrate 65 years together.
She and Gunnar lived in a few small Minnesota communities where he taught high school and they began a family. Later she and her family lived for many years on the Univeristy of Minnesota Fruit Breeding Farm near Minneapolis while Gunnar conducted plant genetic research. The Berquist family moved to Blacksburg, Virginia in 1960 when Gunnar became a lecturer in agricultural research at Virginia Tech University, and June worked part-time in the university library. They retunred to the Univeristy of Minnesota for a year while Gunnar completed his graduate research before moving the family to Atwater, California where Gunnar accepted a high school teaching position.
In Atwater, June was especially committed to her children and active in the PTA and Cub Scouts. After their sixth child entered school, June decided to complete her college education. But first, she had to learn how to drive. After successfully acquiring that skill, she took courses at Merced College and Chapman Univeristy where she majored in Psychology, and earned her teaching credential while working as a librarian in the Atwater Elementary School District. She taught at the elementary and middle school level in Atwater for 25 years before retiring.
After retirement, she continued to be involved in the Atwater community, volunteering for the Atwater Police Department and Atwater Public Library; participating in Kiwanis International, and remaining acive in the Atwater Baptist Church. Retirement also created the opportunity for travel, and Gunnar and June travelled to Sweden and Finland to visit their relatives. June will be remembered for her kindheartedness, love of family and love of books.
She was preceded in death by her cherished husband Gunnar, grandmother Jenny Laakso, grandfathers Victor Laakso and Nestor Nummelin, beloved Aunt Lempi "Lorraine" Smith, mother Ellen Laakso Pernu, father Arnold Pernu, Uncle Jalmer Laakso, uncle David Laakso, cousin Richard Koski, numerous paternal Uncles and Aunts, many Berquist brother and sister in -laws, son-in-law and friend Dr. Neal Carter; and grandson Phillip.
She is survived by her loving children and their spouces: Todd Berquist of Kennesaw, Georgia (Stella); Karl Berquist of Fresno (Bette); Kim Carter of Atwater; Garth Berquist of Chaska, Minnesota (Lois); Lon Berquist of Austin, Texas (Lorraine); and Page Berquist of Visalia (Janice). She is also survived by eleven devoted grandchildren (Nick Berquist, Kevin Berquist, Jeremy Berquist, Karen Berquist Peabody, Michael Berquist, Ryan Carter, Erik Sven Berquist, Kristin Berquist Tabor, Hillary Berquist Funk, Emma Berquist, and Peter Berquist) and seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by her cousin Marvin Koski, her step-sister Norma Ash and many nephews and nieces.
A service celebrating her life will be held at the Atwater Baptist Church, 2124 1st Street, on Saturday, June 22 at 11AM.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Atwater Friends of the Library.
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6 Entries
So sorry..the scriptures can give comfort during this difficult time.
ml
June 25, 2013
I remember Mrs. Berquist as our librarian at Mitchell Elementary, she was such a sweet sweet lady. To the Berquist family may the Lord give you all comfort and peace in this time of sorrow.
Maria Garza-Egleston
June 19, 2013
June was alwasy the sweetest lady. I felt like I knew her family from the pictures and stories she told. Heaven is all lit up now!! We love you June!
Sharon
June 17, 2013
Mrs. Berquist was the librarian at AHS while I attended (84-88). She was a lovely lady.
Liz
June 17, 2013
I felt very fortunate to chat with June a couple weeks before she passed. She was a very sweet lady and always greeted everyone with a smile. My sincere condolences to her family.
Teresa Olson
June 15, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss. She was a sweet, gentle woman. God bless you.
Linda Plymale
June 14, 2013
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