June Yvonne Blikre

June Blikre

It is with great sadness we say farewell to our mother June Blikre.  June passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025 in her home in Bothell, WA.  She was 86 years old.

June Yvonne Pepper was born in Williston, ND to her parents Simon and Mamie (Soine) Pepper.  She spent her childhood in rural Ray, ND and graduated from high school there in 1956. She received her teaching degree at Minot State Teachers College and taught elementary aged students at the Johnson School in rural Williston.

June married Orlane James (Jim) Blikre on June 27,1958 at the Beaver Creek Lutheran Church. They settled in Tioga ND where June worked in the Tioga Hospital and also for KGCX radio writing and broadcasting news from Tioga. In 1968 she and Jim moved with their four children to Washington State.

June had many occupations, all of which she worked around being home with her kids.  Even working overnight shifts she found time to bake classroom cupcakes, sign permission slips and encouraged us to reach for the stars.  When did she sleep??

She owned a Needlework Shop, sold Fuller Brush and Watkins products, was a CNA and Health Unit Coordinator at two hospitals. After earning her Paralegal degree, she worked for the Attorney General’s office in Seattle. She also did bookkeeping and worked at the Blood Bank. She may have filled in part time for the Tooth Fairy.

In her “spare time” June kept track of the family oil and mineral rights in North Dakota, watched hours of CSPAN, advocated in Olympia for Long Term Care reform, played the piano and accordion. Warm weather permitting she enjoyed sitting in her garden.

June always made phone calls and sent cards to her friends and family so they would know she thought of and remembered special occasions.  She was a loving caregiver to her parents, and her husband Jim in their times of need. People were drawn to June and she was making friends up until the end when she charmed her young caregivers.

June was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 64 years Jim; Parents Simon and Mamie Pepper; Sister Joan Johnson; Jim’s parents Berta and Norien Blikre; and Sister-in-law Janette Pepper.

June is survived by her children Tami (Tony) Arredondo, Thomas (Lori), Teresa, and Anthony (Wendy); Grandchildren Sarah (Tia), Jessica; Great grandchildren Marshall, Jayelene, and Jesse; brothers Bert (Gladys) Pepper and Boyd Pepper; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Our beloved Mother was laid to rest at Hillcrest Cemetery in Kent, WA.  reunited with her husband and parents.

Donations may be made to the Beaver Creek Lutheran Church of Ray, N.D. (care of Emanuel Free Lutheran Church in Williston, N.D.), The American Cancer Society or Alzheimer’s Assn.