June Dorothy (Molbeck) Hartog, 90, received her one-way, first-class ticket to heaven on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, after five years of progressive dementia.
June was born July 16, 1932, in Racine, WI, the daughter of George and Elsie (née: Fehlberg) Green. Her dad died when she was just a baby, but Elsie remarried Sumner (Al) Greeley and he became the dad she always wanted. The youngest of four, June had a big heart and warm smile. Active in many clubs and being crowned prom queen, she graduated from Racine Horlick High School in 1950.
After marrying her high school sweetheart, December 6, 1952, June became a loving mom to six children. She was most proud of her children and never missed an opportunity to talk about their accomplishments. She had a zest for life and her kids benefited from homemade Halloween costumes, amazing birthday parties, joyful sideline cheering to many sports and activities, and her attempts to create order out of chaos with six active kids. June excelled at all the “mom things” from Girl Scout troop leader to teacher’s aide at school to being an active member and eventually President of the Racine Twins Club.
June found her own personal fulfillment along the way; in a real estate career helping others make their dreams come true, in decades of service as a poll worker for elections, as well as in being a lifelong member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church where she worshipped and gathered in faith serving in voice choir, bell choir, as a greeter, reader and usher through the years. Social butterfly that she was, she always enjoyed gathering with others after church over kringle and coffee (black with one ice cube). And as the years went by, it is at church where June found a forever love with Al Hartog whom she married in 2001 and loved, laughed, traveled, and fished with for ten years until Al’s death.
June was one helluva bowler in her day, playing in the Ladies of Paradise League in the 1970s and delivering a city high 634 series. She was often the glue that brought people together; especially those who were alone or needed a friend. She was also known for creating random clubs as a reason for gatherings. There was the Italian Club who met for dinner (she was not Italian, but one friend was, and they all liked Italian food). There was a Salsa Club that did not dance, but literally went out for chips, salsa, and margaritas. There was also the Five-Foot Club for all the vertically challenged ladies she met up with for cocktails. June never met a stranger and had an ease in conversation. She was a good and caring friend.
As a Packers season ticket holder for many years, she especially liked tailgating and enjoyed watching sports year-round. She was a fan of chocolate, sunrises over Lake Michigan, musicals, crossword puzzles, writing poems, and furry family, of which she had many faithful dogs over her lifetime. Her love of music was demonstrated spinning records on a turntable in the living room and a jukebox full of 45s in the basement. June was always singing and passed her love of music along to her kids.
June is survived by her sister, Shirley Carlson, former spouse and father of her six children, Jack Molbeck, children Janis (Joe) Dye, Michael Molbeck, Todd (Monica) Molbeck, Kevin (Marcie) Molbeck, Kipp (Stephanie) Molbeck and Jill (Dale) Tomalin, as well as grandchildren Jenni and Jeff (Kacie) Dye, Cassie (Stephen) Hoehnen, Melissa (Kyle) Geurtsen, Adam (Ashley) Molbeck, Bennett, Emma and Stella Tomalin, and 10 great grandchildren; Riley, Dathan, Avery, Decker, Vance, Wesley, Harlow, Xander, Kaden, and Sophia. Aside from her parents, and husband Al Hartog, June was preceded in death by her brothers George Jr. (Buddy) and Richard.
Dementia is a long goodbye and when words escaped her, we were always able to communicate with heart and love. We’ll miss her dearly. The family invites you to celebrate June’s life at Draeger Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Rd in Mt Pleasant on Saturday, August 13 at 11:30 a.m. Friends are invited to visit with the family on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Please join us in memory of June at Infusino’s immediately following the service. Anyone who stops, becomes an official member of her Italian Club. Memorial donations may be made to Wisconsin Humane Society Racine Chapter at 8900 16th St. Mt. Pleasant, WI.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the amazing caregivers at Parkview Gardens and St. Croix Hospice.
To live in this world
you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold itagainst your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.
Excerpt from “In Blackwater Woods”- Mary Oliver
Ann Kirkwood and Family says
Prayers, condolences, and love to the family of June (Molbeck) Hartog. June will always be remembered for her warm and sweet disposition. So sorry for your loss.
Anonymous says
Deepest Sympathy on your loss.
Jim ‘DOC’ Poplawski, Chairman, UAW Local 180 Retirees
Jody O'Brien (Zurawski) says
My deepest sympathy to June’s family. June was a very dear friend to my mom, Beverly Zurawski. The two of them would laugh and have such a good time together. I’ll always remember June’s beautiful smile and kind soul. She truly was a wonderful lady.
Angela Epps says
Wishing you comfort and peace during this difficult time.
Dale & Angela Operators of Williams Compassionate Care Manor, LLC.
Nancy Balcer says
I met June through her dear friend Jan Auer and had many fun times with both of them. June was a vivacious person. My prayers to the family.
Nancy Balcer
Cheryl (Dahl) Miller says
June became part of my life through her children who attended Wadewitz. She was such an involved parent and so supportive and encouraging of her family. I can’t think of a time when she wasn’t smiling and full of energy. She was a force of nature. To her children, I know you will miss June while holding on to extraordinary memories made with her. I’m so sorry I can’t attend her funeral (foot injury), but you will all be in my thoughts and prayers as you say good-bye to this extraordinary lady. Because of you, I got to know her!
Gary Erickson says
I met June when I began my teaching career at Wadewitz Elementary School (1964). I was a beginning teacher, and June volunteered to be my “room mother” … the first of many years she served as my “room mother.” She was the greatest, always smiling, supporting her children and the school. On a field trip to Chicago, one of the students became ill, and June spent the entire time comforting that student in the women’s bathroom of the museum. That was June stepping-up when she was needed, giving to others, asking for nothing in return. She was an inspiration to myself … to so many people. June gave so much to Wadewitz School, her family, and her community. What a “grand lady!”
Jane Reeves says
She was one of my mom’s best friends.