M. June (Bryden) Van Brunt

Wenatchee, WA

Our Mother, June Van Brunt, passed away the evening of April 12, 2011, at age 95. June was born in Biggar, Saskatchewan, to Art and Kate Bryden on June 1, 1915. She had two brothers, Arthur and Clifford, and two sisters, Margaret and Dorothy. All the children were born in Biggar. After three years of drought and losing their homestead on the prairie, the Bryden family began their migration West in 1921. They made their homes in Pouce Coupe and Hudson Hope, B.C. In September 1924, Art heard there was plenty of work in Omak, so he bought supplies, horses and, with an Indian guide, the Bryden family followed a newly blazed trail, being the first white family to travel this route. They arrived in Omak on Thanksgiving Day in 1924. June attended school in Omak, graduating with the Class of 1934. She played basketball on the Omak High School Girls’ team. Two weeks prior to her graduation, on June 1st, she married Harold A. Van Brunt in Davenport, WA. In 1936, at the age of 21, June became a U.S. Naturalized Citizen. To this marriage, three children were born, Art, Judy and Cindy. Their first home was at Disautel, followed by Seattle, Chehalis, Disautel, Omak, Manson and Tonasket. June began her working career at an early age, following the death of her father in 1929. During summer break from school, she worked at the Monse General Store and lived with the proprietor’s family. In 1934, June learned to pack apples in Omak and continued this seasonal work at Methow, Tonasket and Manson. June and Harold owned a ranch within a mile of Disautel. Mom was a member of the Disautel Hobby Club, learning the art of crocheting, sewing and knitting. Harold worked for Biles-Coleman Lumber Company, Web Tractor in Seattle and Chehalis, and owned and operated his own logging truck, hauling for numerous lumber companies in the county. When he retired, they owned and operated Don’s Drive In at Tonasket from 1967 to 1973. Our parents enjoyed trips to Alaska, the East Coast traveling the Trans Canada Highway, and Hawaii. They lived in Arizona for nine winters. They loved their summer boating, camping, picnics and country drives in Okanogan County. On June 1, 1984, Harold and June celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. After Harold’s death, June traveled a lot, visiting family and friends in the States and going to Europe, New Zealand and Australia. Upon selling the Drive In to Cindy, June moved to the Hillside Apartments and enjoyed many years at the Tonasket Senior Center with friends. She loved playing pinochle. June moved to assisted living at Columbia Heights in Wenatchee in 2006. She loved her family and enjoyed their activities.

June is survived by her children, Judy (Mike) Timm of Omak and Cindy Weller of Wenatchee; her grandchildren, Heather (Eron) Voldberg of East Wenatchee and Shawn Weller of Coeur d’Alene, ID; Mick (Leanne) Timm and children of Olympia, WA and David (Val) Timm and children of Aberdeen, WA; her great-granddaughters, Chanel and Dominique Voldberg; her grandsons, Jeff and Jon Van Brunt; her granddaughters, Jennifer Baker and Jayne Sanford and their families; her sisters-in-law, Burne Bryden and Liz Van Brunt; her brother-in-law, Jack (Mert) Van Brunt; and numerous nieces and nephews. June was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her son, Art; her parents; her brothers, Clifford Bryden and Arthur Bryden; and her sisters, Dorothy Skylstad and Margaret Dougherty.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel, on Elmway in Okanogan, followed by Burial at the Okanogan Valley Memorial Gardens on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. Donations may be made to the Tonasket Senior Center, the Okanogan County Historical Society or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel, Okanogan, WA.