June Marie Kummer

Kummer, June Marie

(nee Baumer) passed away peacefully at her home on January 8, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Fred S. Kummer, Jr. for 68 years; dear daughter of the late Emma Baumer (nee Wolf) and the late Arthur J. Baumer; dear sister and sister-in-law to the late Arleen Roettger (the late Earl), the late Jackie Brosius (Don) and Gloria Shedler (the late Joseph); loving mother to Caroline Croswell (Tom), Fritz Kummer (Tess) and Melanie Brewer (David); loving grandmother to Katherine Rohlf (Charlie), Jordan Kummer, Branden Kummer, Joel Brewer (Tanya), Katerina Beysselance (Charles), Cameron Kummer, Daniel Brewer and Valerie Brewer; proud great-grandmother of Theodore Rohlf, Charles Beysselance, Madeline Rohlf, Edward Beysselance and Margaret Brewer. June is survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

June was born in St. Louis, Missouri on June 20, 1930. She attended Hadley Technical High School and graduated from Washington University in 1951 with a degree in architecture. She worked for the William B. Ittner architectural firm prior to her marriage to Fred Kummer in 1953. While he was stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey, the couple had their first child, Caroline. In 1954, June and Fred moved to Rolla, Missouri, where he earned his degree in civil engineering the following year at the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (now Missouri University of Science and Technology).

After briefly living in Washington, Missouri, June and Fred moved to Crestwood, Missouri, where with their growing family (Fritz born in 1957 and Melanie born in 1958) they established a construction firm that developed into the nine-division Hospital Building and Equipment Company. In addition, June and Fred established the Adams Mark hotel chain.

While she occasionally lent her architectural talents to HBE projects, June focused upon raising their children and pursuing her great love of gardening. Her design and technical expertise were evident in the beautiful gardens surrounding her home as well as the many indoor plants that brightened their living space. She cultivated a large vegetable and herb garden and various fruit trees which served her other passion of cooking. A leader in the Federated Garden Clubs of Missouri, June became, in the words of one journalist, the "eternal horticulturist." She not only served as president of the 4,000-member organization, June also held leadership positions with the Missouri Botanical Garden and the National Garden Clubs. For her considerable service, the Federated Garden Clubs of Missouri named a peach pink colored lily the June Kummer Daylily.

June and Fred were great philanthropists, sharing their good fortune with many organizations including the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, the St. Louis Art Museum, the Missouri Botanical Garden, Habitat for Humanity, and Missouri University of Science and Technology. It was their belief that it was important to give back and support their local community.

June's devotion to the Bible and her Lord Jesus Christ was manifested throughout her long life of 93 years. She was very active in her church and drew strength from it.

Services: Visitation: Bopp Chapel, 10610 Manchester Rd., Kirkwood, Tuesday, January 16, 2024, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Service: Village Lutheran Church, 9237 Clayton Rd., Saint Louis, MO 63124, Wednesday, January 17, 2024, Service 10:30 a.m. followed by interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

Celebration of Life Luncheon: Saturday, January 20, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Friendship Brewing Company – FliHi, 400 Crossroads Business Park Court, Flint Hill, Missouri 63385.

Charities to Consider:

• Forest Park Forever, www.forestparkforever.org/donate (314)-367-7275

• BJC Hospice, www.bjchospice.org (314)-872-5050