- Born on: March 26, 1944
- Departed on: April 1, 2020
- Resided in: Altoona, IA
June Merlene Newell
ne Merlene Newell peacefully passed away with her husband by her side at 1:45 P.M., Wednesday, April 1, 2020, six days after celebrating her 9th wedding anniversary with Donald R. Newell, and her 76th birthday. She was a resident of Glen Oaks Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Urbandale, Iowa.
June was born in Corydon, Iowa on Sunday, March 26, 1944 to Dean L. Husted and Betty J. Jones Husted.
She is survived by her husband Donald R. Newell of Altoona, children John M. Downing, Jr. (Kelly) of Amboy, Washington, daughter Robin R. Simpson (Brian) of Des Moines, son Lance C. Crabb of Des Moines, step-son Daniel R. Newell (Ginny), plus their five children of Old Hickory, Tennessee, sister Loretta M. Husted of Des Moines, Aunt Marilyn J. Husted of Waukee, eight grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents Dean L. Husted and Betty J. Jones Husted, sister Judy E. Husted and brother Lyle D. Husted.
June graduated from Des Moines Technical High School with the June class of 1962 where her education and training focused on the clerical vocational core area specialty. Her plan for after graduation was, “To live a happy married life, full of friends and those I love.” June was a very active participant in most, if not every, class reunion and in hosting their planning committees.
Two significant employers were Diamond Laboratories in the 1960s, then The Bankers Life, later renamed Principal Financial Group (PFG), from where she retired as a Senior Human Resources Analyst from Pension Business Systems area on March 20, 2002. During nearly 30 years with PFG, she received numerous award and recognition certificates and plaques from PFG and the professional organizations with whom she was an active member and frequently held leadership positions. i.e. PFG - Excellent Leadership Award, 08/27/1998, Association of Information/Systems Professionals (AISP) – Honor Society Achievement Award, 1986/1987 and Office Systems Professionals of Central Iowa (OSP) – Achievement Award.
Her interests, skills and talents were so varied that briefly highlighting them is almost impossible with a few words. A short list of hobbies, interests and spare time activities might suffice to recall a vivid memory of angels, biking, oceans with beaches, sea shells, swimming, travel, gardening, seasonally decorating her residence, birds, butterflies, ceramics and of course those special cats.
It is well known among family and many friends that she loved to cook, host parties (especially family gatherings) and plan entertaining occasions whether she attended or not. Home-made items from her vast recipe files like spaghetti, seven-layer salad, chocolate chip cookies and of course her rich Hershey’s fudge brownies were favorites of many. It would not be at all unlike her to bring some treat to be enjoyed, even when it was not her turn. And, her beautiful smile, lovely appearance, kindness, humor, interest in many topics and a great desire to help through serving others were the charming attributes that exuded from her no matter where she would be present.
Her genuine love for God and family was exemplified by a devotion to every family member and dedication to training up the children in the way each should go, plus a personal commitment to nearly everyone by offering and encouraging forgiveness in relationships with family, friends (at and away from work), sporting competitors and employers. She dearly lived her faith and loved through participating in Bible studies, potlucks, services groups and times of prayer and worship.
June’s celebration of life will be at Hope Lutheran Church, 3857 E. 42nd St., Des Moines, Iowa on Friday, August 14, 2020 at 11:00 AM. Memorials in memory of June may be given to this church.
NOTE: If national, state, county or local entities alter gathering rules this event may not be held!
June was born in Corydon, Iowa on Sunday, March 26, 1944 to Dean L. Husted and Betty J. Jones Husted.
She is survived by her husband Donald R. Newell of Altoona, children John M. Downing, Jr. (Kelly) of Amboy, Washington, daughter Robin R. Simpson (Brian) of Des Moines, son Lance C. Crabb of Des Moines, step-son Daniel R. Newell (Ginny), plus their five children of Old Hickory, Tennessee, sister Loretta M. Husted of Des Moines, Aunt Marilyn J. Husted of Waukee, eight grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents Dean L. Husted and Betty J. Jones Husted, sister Judy E. Husted and brother Lyle D. Husted.
June graduated from Des Moines Technical High School with the June class of 1962 where her education and training focused on the clerical vocational core area specialty. Her plan for after graduation was, “To live a happy married life, full of friends and those I love.” June was a very active participant in most, if not every, class reunion and in hosting their planning committees.
Two significant employers were Diamond Laboratories in the 1960s, then The Bankers Life, later renamed Principal Financial Group (PFG), from where she retired as a Senior Human Resources Analyst from Pension Business Systems area on March 20, 2002. During nearly 30 years with PFG, she received numerous award and recognition certificates and plaques from PFG and the professional organizations with whom she was an active member and frequently held leadership positions. i.e. PFG - Excellent Leadership Award, 08/27/1998, Association of Information/Systems Professionals (AISP) – Honor Society Achievement Award, 1986/1987 and Office Systems Professionals of Central Iowa (OSP) – Achievement Award.
Her interests, skills and talents were so varied that briefly highlighting them is almost impossible with a few words. A short list of hobbies, interests and spare time activities might suffice to recall a vivid memory of angels, biking, oceans with beaches, sea shells, swimming, travel, gardening, seasonally decorating her residence, birds, butterflies, ceramics and of course those special cats.
It is well known among family and many friends that she loved to cook, host parties (especially family gatherings) and plan entertaining occasions whether she attended or not. Home-made items from her vast recipe files like spaghetti, seven-layer salad, chocolate chip cookies and of course her rich Hershey’s fudge brownies were favorites of many. It would not be at all unlike her to bring some treat to be enjoyed, even when it was not her turn. And, her beautiful smile, lovely appearance, kindness, humor, interest in many topics and a great desire to help through serving others were the charming attributes that exuded from her no matter where she would be present.
Her genuine love for God and family was exemplified by a devotion to every family member and dedication to training up the children in the way each should go, plus a personal commitment to nearly everyone by offering and encouraging forgiveness in relationships with family, friends (at and away from work), sporting competitors and employers. She dearly lived her faith and loved through participating in Bible studies, potlucks, services groups and times of prayer and worship.
June’s celebration of life will be at Hope Lutheran Church, 3857 E. 42nd St., Des Moines, Iowa on Friday, August 14, 2020 at 11:00 AM. Memorials in memory of June may be given to this church.
NOTE: If national, state, county or local entities alter gathering rules this event may not be held!
