June Bensenberg Balthazar

June Bensenberg Balthazar passed peacefully from a remarkable life of 90 years on Thursday, August 1, 2013. She was born on October 11,1922 in Pueblo, Colorado to Arthur Frank and Ruby Gladys Cline Bensenberg, the second of four children. Her indefatigable spirit, unfailing smile and pleasantness under all circumstances will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

A service to celebrate June's life will be held at 4:00 pm on Sunday, August 11, 2013 in the chapel of J. Henry Stuhr Funeral Home at 1494 Mathis Ferry Rd., Mt. Pleasant, SC. Per her request, her ashes will be scattered at sea by the family.

Her childhood love of reading and active sports (she was an accomplished roller skater) remained with her throughout her life. As a young adult, she moved with her family to San Francisco, became certified as a stenographer and worked for the U.S. government and Trans World Airlines. During this time she traveled with friends to exotic places like Havana, Cuba, setting the stage for a love of international travel in her later years.

In San Francisco she met Joseph Edward Balthazar. They married in Baltimore, Maryland on April 30,1949. For the next 30 years they made their home in Carroll County, Maryland. Four children, Ed, Nancy, and twins Jean and Jim, blessed the marriage. Joe traveled extensively as Director of the Foreign Claims Division of the Social Security Administration and June kept the home fires burning. This remarkable woman is remembered for an amazing array of talents and skills that she cheerfully shared with others. She was: willing to cook up anything that the boys brought home from hunting...including squirrel and rabbit; burying a favorite pet, Billy Goat before the children got home from school; growing a bountiful garden; serving as president of the Vaughn Women's Club; sewing all her children's clothes, including suits for the boys; serving as Den Mother and Girl Scout leader; helping with the children's 4-H animals; hosting elaborately themed holiday events for both adults and her children, including making all the costumes; playing complicated piano tunes by ear and; dressing to the nines for dinner each night.

After Joe's retirement in 1977, the couple moved to St. Pete Beach, FL where they enjoyed an active lifestyle of walking 3 miles every day and golfing at the Lakewood Golf Club. Between bowling and golf team commitments, June used her artistic and creative abilities to create matching Christmas items for her ever expanding brood of grandchildren. Gowns, vests, pinafores, sweaters, ties (each in multiples of 10-18) - the unveiling of June's newest project was a highlight of each holiday gathering. Joe died in 1989.

For the last decade, June has lived in the Charleston area to be closer to family. Forever independent and an adventurer, June traveled Europe in her late 70's, purchased a home in Mt. Pleasant in her 80's, and was only slightly slowed down when she broke her wrist falling off a bike at age 86.

June has made her home in the Somerby Retirement Community. The family wishes to thank both the staff at Somerby and at the Mount Pleasant Hospital for the care and concern they showed to June.

June's life is celebrated by her children:
Ed Balthazar of Fayetteville, WV
Jim Balthazar and wife Ellen of Austin, TX
Jean Siewicki and husband Tom of Awendaw, SC
Nancy Lapanne and husband Gary of Summerville, SC

Grandchildren:

Brandi Andrews and husband Barry of Houston, TX
Laurie Balthazar and Jeremy Balthazar of Tampa, FL
Alex Balthazar and Angie Balthazar of Charleston, WV
Tiffany Henderson and husband Cade of Awendaw, SC
Jeff Siewicki of Charleston, SC
Katie Ruback and husband Dave of Austin, TX
Matt Balthazar and wife Anna of Austin, TX
Tim Lapanne of College Park, MD

Great-grandchildren:
Ella and Natalie Henderson of Awendaw, SC
Bennett and Campbell Ruback of Austin, TX

And sister, Wanda Hoder of Colorado Springs, CO.