"June was my Godmother and a true cousin, especially when I was young and finding my way in the world. I miss her greatly. With love to Jeff and family, and Susan, and Cindy & Wolfgang, Stephen"
In loving memory of
June Davis
June 18, 1944 - December 24, 2020
June Marie Fiksdal Davis was born to Mads and Gladys Fiksdal in Alexandria, Minnesota on June 18, 1944. At a very early age June moved with her parents to Rochester, Minnesota, where her parents opened both the Fiksdal Hotel and Flower shop directly across the street from the main entrance of Saint Mary's Hospital. Both businesses thrived and served the community for many years. At a very young age June worked at the flower shop and developed professional skills as a floral designer with a national reputation. Her design skills resulted in her being invited to appear at a number of domestic and international exhibitions. She soon became a Fellow of the FDIC.
June married Merrill N. Davis III (otherwise known as "Jeff") at Zumbro Lutheran Congregation on June 20, 1971 in the presence of a large congregation. Jeff was at that time the church's Organist and Director of Music. In 1973 June and Jeff adopted their first son, Kim, who came to them as a four year old from Korea.
In late 1982 June discovered she had a problem with alcohol. With her husband Jeff at her side they went to seek help. It took quite a while to convince medical professionals that June had a problem, but finally she was able to get the help she needed in Minneapolis and checked-in to a well known treatment center. Upon returning to Rochester June wanted to start a program for women suffering from addictive diseases. She and her husband purchased The Gables, a historic Pill Hill property. After months of renovation the Gables opened its doors as a Woman's Treatment Center in May of 1983. Through its many years of operation the Gables has served over three thousand clients. This past Spring the Gables was sold to NUWAY an addictive Disease clinic based in the Twin Cities.
Over the years June was able to assemble an outstanding professional staff headed by Nancy Stofferahn, which included counselors, physicians, nurses and many others.
June is survived by her husband of almost fifty years, a younger sister, Cynthia Balzer (Wolfgang) of Weinheim, Germany, two sons, and a very special friend, Susan Rademacher. June was very active in the Rochester community where she played both the cello and string bass with the symphony orchestra after having graduated from Rochester Junior College and studying in Chicago with a famed floral designer. June also assisted her husband, Jeff, at the various churches he served and for concerts all over the United States and Europe.
Memorials can be designated to the Poverello Fund at Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN, which helps patients of Saint Marys Hospital cope with medical expenses, and where June drew her last breath. To make a donation call 1-855-852-8129 for donation method options.
A Memorial Concert will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 11am at Congregational Church (974 Skyline Drive SW, Rochester, MN 55902).
June's ashes are interred in the Chapel of Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester.
Ranfranz and Vine is honored to be serving the Davis family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.
Tributes
"I remember June sitting next to me in the beautiful great room at the Gables after a Celebration in recovery group.I can still feel the warm sunlight that filled the room .She said to me . One must be humble. She described how being humble daily is the secret to many successes one can have in their lives. Showing humilty . June did this daily Those who were near June experienced this daily by her generosity and gratitude.WHat a beautiful gift that we were all blessed to have in our lives. June thank you for helping so many women in early recovery,what a shining guiding light you have been. To Jeff,June's family members ,Susan and Nancy may God bless you with many memories of June that will provide peace to your hearts. I feel so honored to have been given many opportunities with the Gables to work with June and have so many treasured memories. Tess H."
"Our sympathy, thoughts and prayers to Jeff, family and Susan ! Words are inadequate to describe June who touched numerous lives in her gentle spirit. We had many great times over the years ! Our hearts are sad ... May she be blessed in eternal life."
"So very sorry to hear about June's passing. I worked with her at The Gables and she and I had so much fun working together. You will be missed June, and many prayers of healing to all her loved ones."
"I was so sad to hear of June's passing! I worked for June at the Gables. She was a wonderful woman with a heart of gold!! She truly cared about all the women and what they were going through. June was a true warrior among women!! You will be missed greatly!! "
"Jeff and family, Sending all of you comfort at the loss of this wonderful woman. I could feel her helpful and peaceful spirit when ever I would encounter her at Zumbro or somewhere else. - Vikki Orwoll Dalquist "Grief never ends, but it changes. It a passage not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith... it is the price of love." "
"My deepest sympathies Jeff and Family, June and I were friends many years ago. We enjoyed so many wonderful times together. We met in Rochester Junior College. I spent many days and nights at their home with Gladie and Muds. She was the best and I loved her dearly.. Barb Sutherland "
"My deepest sympathies Jeff and Family, June and I were friends many years ago. We enjoyed so many wonderful times together. We met in Rochester Junior College. I spent many days and nights at their home with Gladie and Muds. She was the best and I loved her dearly.. Barb Sutherland "
"My deepest sympathies Jeff. June was a gracious, wonderful woman and I enjoyed the brief years at the Congregational church getting to know her. I remember the bell group played at the Gables one year and it was very special for us to be able to do that. May God bless you and your memories of her. Karmen Gusa"
"The Gables saved my life. She will be deeply missed."
"I quickly took to June when we moved in a neighbors. Our conversations were always deeper than typical neighborhood niceties: we talked art, music, and literature. In the pandemic, June and her husband often took to spending nice days in their balcony: I did too. Always, I looked forward to our balcony conversations when the traffic was quiet: I'll miss our quips about the weather, about activities downtown, about the arts. Our little community will be much changed with June absent, but I'm so glad I got to know her for at least a little while. "
"Dear Jeff, we'll miss June dearly. She has been a beautiful and delightful person whenever I met her, and so hospitable every time I came to visit. Looking forward to meeting her again..."
"I was honored to work with June, she saved many life's those with addictions.June was one of a kind humbling always grateful for others, her angel wings will continue to care for those in addiction. THANK YOU JUNE"