Norma “June” Laha was born August 5, 1933, to Henry and Daisy (Hodge) Kuck in Fairbury, Nebraska. She died September 9, 2021, in Wakefield, Kansas. June and her family moved to the Hiawatha area in the 1940’s. She graduated from Leona High School in 1951 and went on to Highland Community College, earning a teaching certificate in 1953. While attending Highland, she met a fellow student and former Marine, Patrick Laha. They were married on January 23, 1953, in Hiawatha, KS.
The couple moved to Sabetha to start their teaching careers. June had her first teaching job in a one room schoolhouse in 1954. Patrick and June had relocated to Perry and Winchester before settling in Centralia in 1961. June took time away from teaching to tend to her family. She was very proud of her five boys. June went back into teaching in 1967 and taught in several towns in and around Centralia, to include Seneca, St. Benedict, Corning, and Frankfort. Her beloved husband, Pat, passed away in 1975. June went back to college to complete her bachelor’s degree in education at Washburn University, graduating in 1978. She later obtained her master’s degree from Kansas State University. June moved to Wakefield in 1978. She taught in the Clay County School District until she retired in 1998. She continued to substitute for years.
June was involved in the community. She was a member of the Mizpah United Methodist Church, Wakefield Library Board member and volunteered at Meadowlark Hospice in Clay Center. June left and impression on many people during her life. She was cherished by her family and her many friends. She was always quick to help whether it was a friend, student, or stranger. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grand mother. In Wakefield she will always be remembered as Grandma June
In addition to her husband, June is preceded in death by her parents, eldest son Patrick H. Laha Jr.; brother, Henry Kuck; sisters, Marcene George and Clarlyn Kuck; and daughter in law, Margie Laha.
Survivors:
Son: Jeff and wife LaDena Laha of Clearwater, KS
Son: Dr. David and wife Susan of Overland Park, KS
Son: Chris Laha of Hutchinson, KS
Son: Jon and wife Kristina Laha of Wichita, KS
Daughter in law: Jo Ann Laha of Topeka, KS
Brother: Benton Kuck of Council Bluffs, IA
16 Grandchildren and 19 Great Grandchildren
Funeral Services: Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Mizpah United Methodist Church in Wakefield, KS
Minister: Dr. Jane Langat
Burial: Will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at the Hiawatha Cemetery, Hiawatha, KS
Visitation: Wednesday, September 15, 2021 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home
Memorials: In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Meadowlark Hospice c/o the funeral home.
June’s service will live-stream at 10:00 a.m. at the following link https://www.facebook.com/nsrfuneralhome/live