June Delores Nooyen passed away peacefully on July 5, 2025 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

It was the end of a life exemplified by creativity, love of family, great food and fashion, a devotion to life-long learning and intellectual curiosity.

June was born on March 1, 1932 to the late Sylvester and Doris Thomas in Shawano, Wisconsin. Like many of those of her era she was impacted by the Great Depression and the lingering effects of poverty, but set about to create a life she desired. Taking on the challenges of life with her indomitable spirit and energy June graduated from high school from West De Pere.

After a series of jobs June went to work at MilPrint in De Pere where she happened to catch the eye of a coworker who would change her life. In a short time this budding romance had consumed their lives and there was only one thing left to do.

In February,1954 she married Mathew Nooyen and they were married for nearly 68 years until his death in 2022. They were often described by those who knew them as a "beautiful couple" and noted for their steadfast loyalty to each other and to their four children. She was never "just a homemaker or wife" as her creativity now fully blossomed in her new world of mother and wife.

Painting portraits became her passion and strength. Feeling she needed some formal training she attended a class presented by a noted artist who completed portraits for the Green Bay Packers. He looked at her work and simply stated," There is nothing I can teach you. You have a talent and a gift." From then on family members and friends, along with more than a few strangers, became her subjects for over 800 portraits over the years and would be a small portion of her complete artistic output. Her paintings and portrait works reside today in hundreds of homes throughout the United States.

June applied her amazing skills as a seamstress for her children as she made some of their clothing plus a dazzling selection of costumes to be rented for Halloween and utilized in theatrical productions as well. Her hands were never at rest as she completed headpieces, hats, and elaborate costumes, as she continued to paint and write poetry all the while surrounded by needles, beads, thread, sequins, lace and fabric all around her. She was a never ending dynamo of creativity.

Blessed with the desire to learn more and filled with an insatiable curiosity she would pose questions to her daughter, Amy, to "Look this up on your computer" and we are certain Google would have been her best friend if she had been born into a different era. Her mind was always working as she was never willing to waste a moment of life.

As was common for women of her era there was an expectation, fair or unfair, that a woman should be able to cook. June took on that role with a flourish and was not content to make a traditional meal. She set about to learn how to prepare different foods of different cultures and countries. Christmas was celebrated with Italian cuisine, birthdays with Asian egg rolls, pies and desserts would put any baker to shame. Quite frankly, she could do it all when it came to preparing culinary masterpieces.

She loved movies and sharing her critiques of certain productions and actors. Devotedly she watch the Academy Awards each year and noted which films she wanted see next. As much as movies might have offered an escape for some, for June they were a portal to other worlds - realities to shape and challenge her artistic views as well.

As a Mother she performed a role worthy of the highest award and esteem. She made "pizza night" memorable with her home made pizzas, birthday parties were individualized events of surprise and honor, and her Christmas traditions of unique, elaborate white elephant gifts, and festive decorations live on and continue to be honored by her loving family.

There are few words that can soothe the grieving soul and the sting of a loss that ushers forth tears. Perhaps it all come down to the passage of time and the sharing of heartfelt memories to relieve such grief. Upon June's passing the family received comforting words from a fellow artist who knew her well and we wish to share them. He wrote, "She was like a garden in June, flourishing in the exuberance of life. There were so many colors on her palette."

The family wishes to extend their deepest admiration, respect and gratitude to the staff at Emerald Bay Retirement Community for their compassionate care, sensitivity, and abiding affection they demonstrated to June and her family over the last five and-a-half years.

The family also wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to St, Croix Hospice for their professionalism, their kindness and care provided during this difficult time.

June Nooyen is survived by her children; Tom Nooyen, Amy (Roger) Radley, Joe Nooyen, and Pat (Linda) Nooyen. Her sisters Nancy Lindner, Connie Butts, and Teri (Gene)Allen. Further survived by five grandchildren, Six great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, one brother-in-law Ron DeWitt, and one sister-in-law Carol Nooyen.

She was preceded in death by her husband Mathew Nooyen, her parents Sylvester and Doris Thomas, a brother Wayne Thomas, a sister Hazel DeWitt, and a grandson Trevor Nooyen.

Friends and family will gather at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 16; Service will follow at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Allouez Catholic Cemetery. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.