June Andersen

Bessie June Andersen, 94 years wise, Liberal Kansas, passed away March 8, 2025 in Liberal. June was the youngest of five children, adopted by Richard Willis and Nettie Pearl Boyd. Born May 19, 1930, in Kansas City, Mo., June was raised on a farm outside Meade Kansas. She drove a tractor by the age of 8 preferring to work with her dad in the fields rather than assist Mom and sisters in the kitchen. She never wavered from that preference!

In 1954 June married Billie LeRoy Andersen, a handsome and adventuresome young man from the Sandhills of Nebraska. They celebrated 66 years of marriage raising their two children then adding over 100 foster children to their family during their 44 years of active foster care. They adopted as well and added a sister and brother to the fold.

During the decades Bill & June were foster parents, they were awarded several awards from Saint Francis Community Services and made Foster Parents of the year receiving accommodation from then President Barack Obama. Talking to some of her foster girls, I heard a common theme: “they gave us a normal life Without that we would not have been successful in our lives, we learned rules, responsibilities, accountability and respect.” Bill was mostly a silent partner when rules were enforced, but he was a solid partner for June. She frequently communicated with many of” her girls”, as she called them, until her passing . She was quiet,calm, which allowed her the opportunity to listen. That became an important trait for many girls in her care; it was important as a young adult to have a mother who quietly listened but let us make our own decisions.

Another legacy left to the community was her involvement with OTLR (Original Town of Liberal Revitalization). She was president of the organization until her passing, March 8. She was proud of the projects they completed and houses they built or renovated for affordable housing for Liberal residents.

June left a legacy to her community and her family. We are proud of the woman she was; the mother she was, the leader she was. She will be so very missed by her family, her friends, her girls and her community.

June is survived by daughters Seena Cox (husband Steve Skellenger) Bentonville Ar. Nettie Andersen, Boulder Co. Bonnie Keating (husband Russ Keating) Liberal Ks. Sisters Char Taylor(husband Loren) Nebraska. Kay Wolfenden Nebraska. Grandchildren Branon Cox (wife Terri Rettig), Mesa Arizona; Breann Cox Washington D.C., Nicole Bicanich Denver Colorado, Nash Keating (wife Vanessa), Liberal and Kinnedy Keating, Kansas City.

She recently became a great grandmother and leaves numerous cousins, nieces, nephews,
grand nieces and nephews as well as good friends and neighbors.

Preceding June is her husband Bill, her sisters Ada and Dorinda, brothers Berkley and Clyde,Parents Richard and Nettie.

Visitation will be 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday March 14, 2025.

Funeral Service will be 10:30am Saturday March 15, 2025 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church.

Burial will follow at the Liberal City Cemetery.