TOPEKA — Leona ”June” Horn, 79, died Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., where she was surrounded by her loving family.

She was born Nov. 13, 1933, on the family farmstead in rural Labette County to Issac William and Florence Leona (Cunningham) Strickland. She graduated from Labette County High School in Altamont.

She married Billy Dean Horn in Picher, Okla., on Aug. 18, 1951. 

To this 61 year union, four children were born. During the early years of their marriage they lived in Parsons, where she worked as a legal secretary. They moved to southern California during his service in the Marine Corps. They moved back to Parsons and later Pittsburg, caring for their growing family during her husband’s undergraduate studies.

June and Bill moved to Topeka in 1956 and when their fourth child entered kindergarten, she began her studies at Washburn University, graduating in four years and was then employed by Topeka USD 501. 

Mrs. Horn was a caring elementary school teacher in Topeka for 24 years. She was a dedicated member of the First Christian Church, where she served as one of the first women church elders. She was also a tour director for a travel agency during the summer months, taking her to Australia, Papua, New Guinea, several countries in South America, Russia, China, Tibet, the Philippines and the Galapagos Islands.

Mr. and Mrs. Horn embarked on many motorcycle trips across the country and to celebrate their 60th anniversary they traveled to Ireland.

June is a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her loving husband, Billy Horn; her children, Connie (Bryce) Brunton, Cindy (Paul Sodamann) Horn, Stuart Horn and Greg (Melissa) Horn; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; four sisters; and a brother.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and a brother.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at First Christian Church, 1880 S.W. Gage Blvd., Topeka. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 S.W. 10th Ave., Topeka.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 1880 S.W. Gage Blvd., Topeka, KS 66604 or the American Heart Association, 3816 Payspher Circle, Chicago, IL. 60674.

Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 S.W. 10th Ave., Topeka, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.