June LaVerne Estes

June LaVerne Estes was born July 18, 1927 in Lake Andes, South Dakota. When she was 12 years old her family moved to Belle Fourche, SD. She graduated from Belle Fourche High School in 1945. When she was 18 she moved to California and attended Four Square Gospel Church for 4 years earning a degree in Theology studies. At age 22 she moved to Denver and went to work for The Four Square Gospel Church for 4 years. While working at the Four Square Gospel Church in 1954 she met a young, handsome, navy man named Alfred Estes. It was love at first sight, really! Alfred was working on his motorcycle in his backyard next to the church's backyard and he spotted LaVerne sunbathing. Alfred immediately fell in love and was the beginning of a 60 year love affair. Alfred thought that she was an ""angel that flew too close to the ground"" which became their love song. LaVerne worked for 40 years for the Health and Human Services Department of the Federal government. The first 15 years in Dallas, Texas, and the remaining 25 years in Denver, Colorado. LaVerne retired in 1995. LaVerne is survived by her husband Alfred Raymond Estes; sons Eugene Raymond Estes and Gary Wayne Estes; sister Esther Zimmerman; brothers Quintus Franke and Charlie Franke. Preceded in death by brother Duane Franke; sister Phillis Dykes. Memories: LaVerne liked to go to the Franke farm in South Dakota where she grew up. She always liked to spend summers and occasional Christmases there. One of her favorite thing on the farm was to call the cows in from the pasture. She would call ""Oats"" and they would come running. She enjoyed having animal on the farm and had 6 cows up until 6 years ago. She liked to be surrounded by family during her visits, where she dedicated herself to cooking and entertaining. She also enjoyed being in Belle Fourche during the annual Fourth of July parade. There was food, laughter, visits, memories made, baked pies and everything that small town atmosphere could offer. These are the things she loved. Funeral Service Thursday, 03/03/16, 11:00 AM, Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80227. Burial Crown Hill Cemetery.