June Burnham
May 10, 1927 ~ June 6, 2008
June Burnham, 81, of Highmore, passed away Friday, June 6, 2008 at the Hand County Memorial Hospital, Miller.
Funeral services were 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 9, 2008 at the United Methodist Church, Highmore with Pastor Jenene Earl officiating. Burial was in the Highmore Cemetery. Visitation was held from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, June 8 at the Luze Funeral Home in Highmore.
Wanda June was born May 10, 1927 to Robert and Violet (Howard) LaFurge. She attended grade school at Hughitt School in Chapelle Township and graduated from Highmore High School in 1944. She attended Business College in Aberdeen and then worked for the State of South Dakota in Pierre.
June married Harold E. Burnham on August 17, 1945 in Seattle, Washington. When Harold completed his tour of duty with the Navy, he returned to Highmore and they began their lifelong career of ranching. They lived on the Burnham farm north of Highmore for approximately one year, and then farmed and ranched in Chapelle Township until 1978. They continued to live on the farm until 1994 when they moved their home to Highmore.
June worked for many years at the Highmore Livestock Exchange and retired in 1994.
She was an avid bowler, was a member of a women’s team and bowled mixed doubles with her husband until failing health forced her to quit. She loved t play cards and played with family and friends until shortly before her death. She and Harold enjoyed dancing and socializing with friends and neighbors, which often included neighborhood card parties. June loved spending time with her family and her grandchildren and great grandchildren who always brought a smile to her face.
Grateful to have shared in her life are her children: daughter, Connie (Gerald) Dewey of Rapid City and Connie’s son: Todd (Laura) Dathe and great grandchildren: Jackson and Morgan Dathe of Brandon; daughter, Jill (Bill) Baird of Sturgis and their children: Bailey Baird of Sioux Falls and Nicholas Baird of Vermillion; son, James “Bud” Burnham of Highmore and his children: Chandra Burnham of Brookings and Tyler Burnham of Highmore; her sister, Donna (Gary) McDonald of Highmore; aunt and uncle; and numerous cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and son, Billy.
Pallbearers were David McDonald, Rick Howard, Reg Nelsen, John Reinschmidt, Jim Nicolaus, and Nathan Shaull.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with June's arrangements.




So sorry to hear of your loss. We pray you to find comfort in the Lord at this time as you draw close to Him for strength. God bless.
The Days
Roger, Vikki, and children
My prayers are with the family.
Bud & family….my heart goes out to you all hope you find comfort for the days to come…sincerely cosette & family
b
May God Bless you as you go on your way. Your Mom will be formost on your mind for quite a while. Everything will be different but calm know she is with your Dad and in Gods arms as well. Your memories are very precious as you think of them all hold them in your heart forever just the way she held you in hers.
God Bless you
so sorry to hear about your mom, hope the lord be with you in this trying time. my prayers are with you
Connie, Jill, Bud, and family.
Sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. We only hope the sorrow moves along swiftly and the memories linger forever.
From our family to yours our deepest sympathies to you all.
Take care.
Hope to see you soon.
Connie,
I always check the obituaries back home and am so sorry to hear of your loss.
It is so many years, since I have seen you, but had seen your mother in Highmore.
May God bless you and help you through the days ahead.
I am sure thinking of all of you at the time of your loss. One has to believe that she is in a better place, no pain, no sorrow.
May God bless each of you.
Betty