LaNila June Brems Martin

In a little house, on a quiet street in Magna, on June 16, 1931, Grantly Lamar and Mabel Rushton Brems welcomed their youngest daughter, LaNila June Brems. She came in the warmth of summer sunshine, and they called her June Bug. Her older siblings, Lamar, Earl and Mabel were excited to welcome their little sister as she came after a ten-year gap.

Her playhouse was made from an old truck with no tires. She even had little curtains that hung in the windows. One of her chores was to lime and whitewash the outhouse and stock it with magazines for reading or other uses. During her elementary years, there was a hankie pinned to her dress in case her nose was runny. For fun, there was swimming in the canal, Halloweening and hitting the shows at the theaters in Magna with her mom. They walked everywhere in those days, even in knee deep snow.

She had a good friend in Denny Smith. One day she and Denny were walking home and a car with two questionable men were following them. A 1941 maroon Mercury Coupe pulled up driven by Hollis Martin and his friend and rescued the damsels in distress. June flirted her way into the front seat next to Holly. His plan was to date her until the summer was over and he returned to school at the University of Utah, but he was caught hook, line and sinker. They rode the Bamberger train and would go dancing at Salt Air and the Rainbow Room. They chose to be married September 3, 1948, in the Salt Lake Temple then celebrated with family and friends at the Copper Club.

Growing up during the depression and as a teenager during World War II, she knew scarcity. As June and Holly started their lives together, they were a good team and worked hard. He worked at Kennecott, and she worked at the confectionary called Puck’s. Their first apartment was in Garfield for 18 dollars a month. Shortly thereafter they made it back to Magna as the first residents in Newman’s basement apartment. It wasn’t long before their first child, Randy was born earning them 50 dollars which was promised for the first grandson born in the family. June said he was the cutest little boy anyone ever had. They were so excited!

Terry was born just after they purchased their home south of the high school, and they were overjoyed to have another handsome little boy. Adorable Jodie, their little bundle of fluff, came next and added to the cheer. Holly thought she was their last, but June did her magic, and they had their fourth, Lorrie. She was the icing on the cake.

June was committed. If she caught the vision of a task, she immersed herself fully and wholeheartedly. That was with everything, family, church, community and career. One of her jobs was as a swim instructor at the Cyprus pool. She taught the kids of Magna how to swim. She always tried to make things special, so she instigated water shows for the kids in the swim program. Those shows were spectacular! Her discipline and guidance were instrumental in producing some outstanding swimmers from Cyprus High School.

Her opportunities to serve at church were many and varied. She served as Relief Society President, Young Women’s President, Primary Coordinator, and as teacher in Primary and Sunday School. Even in her eighties, she taught a youth Sunday School class and loved it. Her most favorite calling was as ward chorister. Music opened up a soothing space for June.

Her frugality fed her gift of crafting. She could sew anything and did. Thousands of Cabbage Patch, American Girl and Barbie dolls are well dressed. Quilts, dresses, jumpers, curtains, costumes, and anything requested were made with love. If only her hands could express what they have accomplished over 94 years.

There was a chance to start as a teller at Cyprus Credit Union, so she took it. Eventually advanced to be secretary for the president. She was efficient, dedicated and always had a deep stash of all-day suckers to hand out. With her employment there, she joined Credit Women International in the Sunup chapter. It was a good place for her to gain more confidence as she served as secretary, treasurer, vice president and president. She loved their travels and camaraderie.

Her kids were her life, and she encouraged and supported their various activities. She watched Randy throw the football, Terry swim fast like a fish, Jodie study and pep it up, and Lorrie march with a saber. It thrilled her to see them involved and growing. They brought her great pleasure. As they moved forward and each married and started their own families, she and Holly were all in. They were excited to include their grandkids on fishing trips in the motorhome. June was the wiggly worm whisperer, and everyone always caught their limit. The only catch was they had to eat all they caught to catch more the next day. She always called fish brain food which explains why her grandkids are all so smart. She never missed sending a birthday card with a little something inside and their name written with her beautiful penmanship.

After retirement June and Holly worked together to build their cabin. It was a dream to build a place they could escape to and enjoy the mountains. Just after completion Holly passed away and left her to enjoy their dream alone. She missed him but she kept at it. She made the drive to the cabin up beautiful Weber Canyon weekly. She loved it when those holidays came along when her family would gather and have good eats and fun.

She loved every holiday. Each one was decorated and celebrated with joy. Christmas sparkled at her house. When the boxes above the stairs came out, the inside transformed to a winter wonderland. Countless extension cords made it hard to enter the back door, but they sure did the job of making it the most festive and bright on the street.

Her yard was immaculate. There were flowers blooming year-round. She had roses and flags and poppies aplenty. One of her abilities was flexibility. When she did yardwork, she could bend in half at the waist still standing while pulling weeds, trimming roses or picking up snails. It was a wonder that she never passed out or tipped over. Her yard was happy and seemed to say thank you.

The last few years there was always a puzzle on her kitchen table for her and those who came to visit. They could pop a piece or two in to add to the final picture. She had Creamies in the freezer or a cold can of coke for any who came inside.

We will miss our mom but know she is with our dad. They are having a good catch-up session. It is good to know they are together.

Survived by her children: Randy B. (Debbie) Martin, Dr. Terry H. (Nancy) Martin, Jodie (Mike) Uriarte, Lorrie (Dan) Gilbert; 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, sister-in-law: Barbara Fullmer

A viewing will be held on Sunday, November 23, 2025, 6:00-8:00 pm at Peel Funeral Home at 8525 W. Magna Main St., Magna, UT

Another viewing will be held on Monday, November 24, 2025, 10:00-10:45 am at the LDS Chapel at 3610 S. 8400 W., Magna, UT. A funeral will follow at 11:00 am.

Interment will be at Valley View Memorial Park at 4335 W. 4100 S., West Valley City, Utah.