June Halvas

June Rodeback Halvas
Born: June 21, 1940 in Salt Lake City, Utah
Passed away: February 25, 2025 in Riverton, Utah
June Rodeback Halvas was born on June 21, 1940, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Evelyn June Wright and Rexal Francis Rodeback. The second of nine siblings, she spent her early years in Centerville, Utah, before the family relocated to Moses Lake, Washington. Raised on a farm, June was a true tomboy at heart, always full of energy and curiosity. She grew up working hard on the farm and in the home and carried that sense of dedication, hard work and perseverance throughout her entire life. In addition to her adventurous and hardworking spirit, she was also known for her charm and kindness. In high school, she was quite popular. Her natural warmth and confidence made her someone people were drawn to throughout her life.
After graduating high school, June attended Brigham Young University, where she met and married her first husband, Gary K. Stewart. Together, they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, for his medical school, and during this time, they welcomed two children, Wayne and Tami. Following Gary's graduation, the family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, for his internship before embarking on a remarkable journey to Africa in 1966. As members of the Peace Corps, they lived first in Malawi and then in Kenya, dedicating themselves to service and adventure. Some of June's amazing accomplishments were climbing Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro, working with the Masai people providing vaccinations, and volunteering at the orphanage and hospital with the Catholic Sisters providing care for those in need. The nuns loved and respected her so much they asked her, an LDS woman, to design a new habit to help with the overwhelming heat in Africa.
In 1969, June and her family returned to the United States, settling in Daly City, California, where she welcomed her third child, Michael Stewart. She was a dedicated, loving mother and focused on raising her children. She and Gary divorced in 1972, and June moved to Warden, Washington, where she and her children moved in with her parents. A year later, she moved to Provo, Utah, to return to her education at Brigham Young University. While taking classes, she worked as a secretary for a couple of physicians in Provo.
In the summer of 1975, while visiting her sister in Kalamazoo, Michigan, June met Earl Halvas. On November 24, 1975, they were married, beginning a lifelong partnership built on love, faith, and family. Together, they were pioneers in raising a blended family, bringing together June's three children; Wayne, Tami and Michael, and Earl's five children, Cathy, Lyn, Aaron, Richard, and Julie with commitment and care. Through their love and dedication, they created a home where all eight children were able to grow and develop into successful adults.
While living in Kalamazoo, June built a fulfilling career as a manager at Gilmore's Department Store before following her passion and becoming a manager and seamstress at a bridal salon, a role she truly loved. Helping brides find the perfect dress brought her immense joy, but nothing meant more to her than assisting her own daughters and granddaughters in choosing their bridal gowns and planning weddings filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.
In 2005, June and Earl relocated to Saratoga Springs, Utah, where they embraced a new chapter of their lives together. They were very involved in their ward and found joy in serving their church community, building lasting friendships, and supporting and being supported by those around them.
June's resilience and adventurous spirit shaped every stage of her life. Whether she was working on the family farm, raising her children, organizing and managing the household, working outside the home, or facing medical issues, she faced challenges with unwavering strength and positivity. She had an innate ability to connect with people, always making those around her feel valued and loved.
She leaves behind her husband of almost 50 years, Earl E. Halvas, and eight children; Wayne (Mary) Stewart, Tamara (Jeffrey) Barlow, Catherine (Kevin) Halvas Sargent, Lynell Halvas Hernandez, Aaron Halvas, Michael (Jennifer) Stewart, Richard (Jennifer) Halvas, and Julie (Peter) Halvas Welther, twenty two grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren with four on the way, and her brother Ron, brother Gerald (Renae), Sister Sally (Steven), brother Keith (Melody), Sister Eileen (Don), and brother Peter (Jill) and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Rexal F. Rodeback and Evelyn J. Rodeback, her brother Dean, and her brother Stephen.
Please join us in celebrating June's life with her viewing being held on March 14, 2025 from 6-8 PM at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, UT, 84095.
Her funeral service will be held on March 15, 2025 with viewing at 10 AM and service beginning 11 AM at the LDS chapel – 2256 N Providence Dr., Saratoga Springs, UT 84045.
She will be interred at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 E 4580 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84117.
Click this link to view additional details about June's Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/june-halvas