June A. “Shawnee” Christmann, 76

June A. “Shawnee” Christmann passed away in Kellogg, Idaho, on Dec. 15, 2023, of natural causes. She was 76 years old and born in Ripley, Tenn., to parents Bennett and Nanny Thurmond. June was married to her loving husband, Bruce G. Christmann, for 21 years before he passed away in 1996. She was a loving mother to Daniel “Danny” Christmann (of Kellogg, Idaho), Charles “Chuck” Christmann (of Fairbanks, Alaska), and Bridgett Christmann (of Spokane, Wash.). June was loved by her many grandchildren, including Derek (age 31), Tyler (age 27), Zachary (age 23), Serenidy (age 18), Kolby (age 17), Benjamin (age 11), and was great-grandmother to Maddie (age 8), Isla (age 5) and Indie (age 3). Surviving June were her sisters, Linda Jenkins and Sherry Robbins, both of Ripley, Tenn. June was preceded in death by the man she considered “Daddy,” Charles Robbins, sister Elna Robbins (who raised her), sister Thelma Bolden, sister Dorothy Riddle, and brothers Ernie Thurmond, Sam Thurmond, and Johnny Hendren. 

Growing up on a cotton farm, she dreamed of where all the airplanes were going that she saw flying overhead daily. In her teens, June left Tennessee and relocated to Bakersfield, Calif., where she married and had her two boys. While in California, June enjoyed fixing, restoring, and racing cars at the Oildale Race Track. She earned a business management degree. After surviving a serious auto crash, June moved to Kellogg, Idaho, where she built a new life after her divorce with her boys. She met and fell in love with Bruce “Navel Nipper” Christmann whom she married in 1974. She built a home in Elizabeth Park, adding her daughter to the family in 1976.

June managed the A & W Drive-In in Kellogg until her retirement. She was a domestic violence counselor, foster parent and rescued/fostered pets. June loved cars and enjoyed talking about, restoring and racing her cars and trucks in the past. Her pride for the Silver Valley and mining history, of which her husband was a part, was something she loved sharing with anyone and everyone. Military service was very important to June and her father, husband and sons all served in the Army; she was proud of the service they gave to this country. Her father was a WWII veteran and Bruce served in Vietnam. Friends will remember June as the life of the party and always ready to help anyone in need in any way she could. June played darts and trivia games and had her own “spot” at The Longshot Saloon where everyone knew she’d be when they walked in. June was always involved in the bar football and NASCAR pools and frequently called her son, Chuck, and son-in-law Will for hot tips on the week’s games or races. She kept in contact with her grandchildren on her iPad and loved to hear Ben talk about his video games, even when she didn’t fully understand. June treasured her visits to Seattle or Alaska, especially in the summer. 

Shawnee will be greatly missed: The Fourth of July will have less dancing and fewer sparklers and Christmas will see one fewer believer in Santa Claus. She always loved birthdays and sang her heart out before candles were blown out. June’s Facebook page is being maintained by her daughter, Bridgett, in her memory.

June will be laid to rest next to Bruce, her husband, best friend and the man she credited with making her the person we all knew and loved. While she said he would get an extra star for his patience, she was the one who had to wait many long years to be reunited with him. Funeral services will be held at Shoshone Funeral Services, 106 S. Main St. Kellogg, Idaho, on Jan. 5, 2024, at 1 p.m. Graveside services will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Kellogg. A celebration of life will be held immediately afterward at The Longshot Saloon at 14 Railroad Ave., Kellogg. Flowers are welcome. Donations, memorial contributions and expressions of sympathy are appreciated and may be sent to Bridgett Christmann.

Memories of June and messages of condolence may be shared with her family online at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is honored to assist the Christmann family with arrangements.