June Laura (Kies) Rafferty

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. 

Let us remember with thanksgiving what God has done through HIS servant June Laura (Kies) Rafferty. June Laura Rafferty was given life by her creator and was born on April 17, 1928, in her parents’ home in Jesup, Iowa.  She was not expected to live long so her parents had her baptized on April 22, 1928.  June was the child of Valentine and Amanda (Schmidt) Kies.  She graduated from Maynard High School in 1945. June was employed by the Cedar Rapids School District for 36 years as a cook.  On July 28, 1945, she was married to Charles Orville Rafferty at the Lutheran Church in Olewein.  June received the gift of a beloved companion as her spouse.  She was blessed with the gift of two sons, Charles Ronald Rafferty and Michael Scott Rafferty.  God blessed June with two grandchildren, Charles Shane Rafferty and Sarah Tiffany Rafferty.  In these later years, she loved her three great-grandsons, Maxwell, Carter, and Gaige. 

She served God in her vocations at home, church, and work. June was a compassionate and caring soul.  She joined Zion Lutheran Church Hiawatha in 1955, shortly after the congregation was started and was still a devout member.  Her daughter-in-law, Carol Rafferty was by her side caring for her constantly during these recent times.  God blessed June with a holy death and took her home to be with Jesus Friday morning, March 10, 2017. 

Surviving are sons, the Rev. Ron (Carol) Rafferty of Grand Mound and Mike Rafferty of Bee Branch, Arkansas; grandchildren, Shane and Sarah; great-grandsons, Max, Carter and Gaige; siblings, Joyce McArtor of Hershey, Nebraska and Dale Kies of Jesup; numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding June in death were her husband, parents, and nine siblings.

A Service of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church, Hiawatha with visitation one hour prior to the service hour.  The Rev. Daniel Krueger will officiate with burial at Fontana Cemetery, Hazelton.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Christian Academy, 400 North Aspen Avenue, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma  74012 or the Rev. C. Ronald Rafferty, PO Box 23, Grand Mound, Iowa  52751.  

Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com. 

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, Grand Mound.