June Elizabeth Brooker, 92

On Sept. 4, 2022 June Elizabeth (Barton) Brooker passed away at Immanuel Lutheran Home of natural causes at the age of 92. June was born June 11, 1930 in Musselshell, Montana, to Ruben Clyde and Florence May (Burton) Barton. She attended school in Musselshell and Billings and married Carl Richard Hinrichs on Nov. 8, 1947. They had one son, Rocky Ray Hinrichs.

Divorced on Nov. 14, 1949, she and Rocky moved to the Flathead Valley where she met and married Claude Eugene Brooker on Sept. 3, 1955. June worked as a cashier at Safeway in Kalispell and Fred Meyer in Columbia Falls and at the Bank of Columbia Falls. She became Deputy Clerk for School District 6 and retired from there in February of 1988. 

After retiring, the Brookers moved to Badrock Drive in Columbia Falls where they raised cattle and chickens, planted a large garden and made their own salsa and Bloody Mary Mix. 

Claude and June enjoyed many years camping, boating and fishing on the Hungry Horse Reservoir and the Koocanusa. Wintertime they traveled south to Arizona in their motorhome with other Flathead Valley friends where they enjoyed socializing and meeting new friends.

June is survived by her sister-in-law Joan (Bryan) Stahlberg; nieces Sandra (Jerry) Peterson of Spokane Valley, Washington, Barbara (Jerry) Kiger of Kalispell, Beverly (Todd) Wellman of Henderson, Nevada; nephews Frank (Anne) McPherson of Lewiston, Idaho, Bradley (Laurie) Barton of Meridian, Idaho; granddaughters Carrie Mackins of Taylors, South Carolina, Pavielle (Mike) Browning of Stevensville, Brooke Hinrichs of Spokane Valley, Washington, Leslee Hinrichs of Kalispell and great-granddaughters Arianna Browning, and Cayla, Raven and Jada Mackins; and great-great granddaughter Camille.

June was preceded in death by her husband Claude, son Rocky, brother Tom Barton, and sister Lorene McPherson. 

June’s wishes are to have everyone make a donation in her name to the Columbia Falls School District snack program to pay past due lunches for kids in need. Please send donations to Columbia Falls School District Six, Attn: Business Manager Dustin Zuffelato, PO Box 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912

A Celebration of Life for June will be scheduled at a later date.  Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for the family.