June Elizabeth Needles

July 14, 1931 - August 21, 2021 June Elizabeth Needles (nee Kirsch), 90, of Waukesha passed away peacefully on the morning of August 21, 2021 at AngelsGrace Hospice in Oconomowoc. Born in Milwaukee on July 14, 1931 to Robert Kirsch, Sr. and Mary (Wilson) Kirsch, June was an active participant involved in the communities around her. From her days at Messmer High School, to her years as an active Messmer alumna; a dedicated mother; Cub Scout & Girl Scout leader; Hall Monitor at Waukesha South High School; and later in life serving as a beloved Ambassador to her building at Brookfield Highlands Senior Apartments, June touched many lives and was loved by all. She met Richard (Dick) Needles, the love of her life, at Line Material in Milwaukee where they both worked. They married in 1955 and spent 50 amazing years dancing together through life as man and wife, until Dick’s death in 2006. After being told they couldn’t have children, they were happily surprised and blessed with 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren! June’s hobbies included: knitting, sewing, crafting, shopping, playing cards, and watching football, in addition to spending time with family and friends. Her love for organizing activities and planning parties was rivaled only by her love of holding babies - her own and others’! June made everyone feel loved and important, and was known for her strong faith, kind heart, short stature, and famous hamburger buns & butterhorns! She was welcomed into heaven by loved ones who preceded her in death, including her loving husband, Dick; her parents, Bob and Mary; sister, Margie Ehmke; two brothers, Robert Jr. and Russ; and her 12 brothers- and sisters-in-law. She is survived, and will be greatly missed, by her children: Nancie (Tom) Chmielewski, Carrie (Greg) Wagner, Julie (Ken) Orrell, Rick (Laura) Needles, Dan (Kathy) Needles; her 13 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Marlene Teeter, Carol Schulls, Candy Constable, and Jeanette Kraemer; many treasured nieces and nephews; and lots of dear friends. Visitation for June will be held on Friday, August 27th from 3:00-4:30pm, with a Catholic funeral service to follow at 4:30pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church (3722 S. 58th St., Milwaukee, WI 53220). While masks are not required unless you are unvaccinated, we do kindly recommend that you wear one. In lieu of flowers, donations to Messmer High School (742 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53206) or The Salvation Army of Waukesha County (445 Madison St., Waukesha, WI 53188) are appreciated.