Rebecca June (Henderson) Kroger was born July 25, 1933 to Roland and Lillian (Cates) Henderson in Birmingham, Alabama. After the death of her father at age 11, she moved to Port Isabel, Texas where she graduated from high school. While in high school she worked for the Payday Candy Factory and was voted most beautiful during her senior year. At the age of 21, while visiting her mother in California, she met her future husband who was stationed at Mather Field in Sacramento. After a brief engagement, she was united in marriage to Jim Kroger of Cottonwood, Minnesota in Minden, Nevada, on September 20, 1954. Shortly after their marriage, Jim was assigned to Germany and June moved to Cottonwood to live with Jim's parents, Eddie and Avis. She started a long career in the newspaper business setting type at the Cottonwood Current. As a military wife, June would continue her newspaper career at several newspapers, hold other interesting positions, and experience life stationed overseas. June worked at the St. Petersburg Times in Tampa, Florida, the American-Statesman in Austin, Texas, and the Omaha World Herald in Omaha, Nebraska. While living in Chateauroux, France she worked at NATO for a Greek general and she was especially proud to have been appointed Acting First Sergeant while working for the civil service in Glasgow, Montana. During her years as a military wife, June enjoyed going to dances at the NCO club, being on a bowling league for couples, playing cards, and betting on football games. In 1978 Jim retired from the Air Force and they moved to Cottonwood. While living in Cottonwood, June held various jobs. She spent time as a printer in Marshall. Later, she co-owned and operated Grandma's Kitchen where she enjoyed cooking, visiting with customers, and occasionally shooting dice for a free cup of coffee. It was during this time that she developed her love for baking and became skilled with her pies and other delicious baked goods. After selling Grandma's Kitchen, June's final job was as a cashier at True Value in Marshall. To the delight of everyone who worked at True Value, June continued her love affair with baking and would often surprise her co-workers with her latest creations. She was especially proud of winning first place in the chili cook off at True Value. After retiring from True Value she enjoyed watching cooking shows, baking, and spending time with family and friends. June also spent many years as an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Cottonwood where she taught CCD classes, served as an extraordinary minister of holy communion, and would often perform the stations of the cross. June also spent many years volunteering with the elementary students at Lakeview School where she administered fluoride to music. June is survived by her husband, two children, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, and son. Blessed be her memory. In Loving Memory of Rebecca June Kroger July 25, 1933 ~ April 17, 2013 Visitation Wednesday, April 24, 2013 ~ 10:00-11:00 a.m. St. Clotilde Catholic Church, Green Valley, Minnesota Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, April 24, 2013 ~ 11:00 a.m. St. Clotilde Catholic Church,Green Valley, Minnesota Clergy Officiating, Fr. Jack Nordick Organist, Helen Wambeke Congregational Hymn "Be Thou My Vision" Special Music St. Clotilde Choir Trevor Bailey (Bagpiper) "Amazing Grace" "Scotland the Brave" Honorary Casket Bearers James Kroger ~ David Kroger Jay Kroger ~ Craig Kroger John Sterner ~ Jack Henderson Casket Bearers David Kroger, Jr. ~ Neil Kroger Shawn Myers ~ Elijah Sterner Karsten Bliss ~ Ronald Swenson Final Resting Place St. Clotilde Catholic Cemetery Green Valley, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota