June Droge

June Elaine Droge, daughter of Alden and Muriel Balfour, was born August 6, 1929, in Missoula, Montana. June, her brother Monte, and sister Elda were raised on a farm in the Moiese Valley during the depression years. Good memories of her childhood were not dulled by hardships of the depression but did give her a lifelong sense of frugality; a trait that has become part of the family lore.

June was teaching third grade in Belgrade, MT, when she met and married Henry John Droge on June 1, 1951. The young couple became members of the Belgrade Federated Church and sang in the choir. The family grew to five children: Debbie (Randy Williams), David (Carrie Betz), Rebecca (Boenish), Janice (Dan Welch), and Audrey (Rick Nelson). They raised their family on a dairy farm in the Gallatin valley and were active members of the Farm Bureau. They continued in their church life with June teaching Sunday School and being involved with the women's groups, both in her church and rural community, and in later years she acted as church secretary.

June was a talented farm wife and partner, working in the fields and barn, tending to and preserving produce from a large garden, raising chickens and selling eggs to local grocery stores. She did all this while still attending to the needs of her family and instilling strong values in her children. Her door was always open to 'set another plate' and many friends and neighbors dropped by to enjoy her delicious cooking and great hospitality. 

Henry and June later retired to a property on Springhill, but their retirement was marred by the lengthy illness and eventual death of Henry on July 24, 2001.

June married Buford (Boots) Myers in 2002. He and his late wife Ruth were long-standing friends of Hank and June. Boots and June resided in Three Forks and were members of the United Methodist Church. June returned to Belgrade after the death of Boots on January 26, 2015. 

A great sorrow was the loss of her daughter, Janice, to cancer in June 2020. Her solace was that they both had faith in Jesus as their Savior and knew they would meet again. 

June had many years of managing her home until health issues resulted in her move to Parkhaven in Manhattan, MT. To all who brightened her last years with visits and wonderful care, the family is profoundly grateful. 

Family and friends remember June as a warm person who truly loved generously and had a strong Christian faith that she lived daily. She had a joyful spontaneous laugh, intelligence, and a humble approach to life. In honor of her desire to help others, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in her name go toward charities of your choice or any that June supported such as Samaritan's Purse (samaritanspurse.org); Belgrade Senior Center, 92 E. Cameron Ave, Belgrade, MT 59714; and Grace Bible Church Missions, 3625 S. 19th Ave., Bozeman, MT 59718. 

June is survived by 4 children, 11 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother, Monte Balfour; her sister, Elda Drew; both her husbands, Henry Droge and Buford Myers; and her parents, Alden and Muriel Balfour. A memorial service is in the planning stage for early June 2025. June Elaine Droge is now rejoicing in the Lord Jesus in eternity. For the time, we will all miss her much.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com.