June Helen Habbestad died Dec. 21, 2003, at home, after experiencing declining health. She was 74 years old.

She was born March 21, 1929, on Vashon to John and Clara Habbestad.

She attended Columbia Grade School on Vashon.

After graduating from Vashon High School, she worked at Puget Sound Light Company for some years until she went to Trinity Bible School in Minneapolis. She attended Trinity for two years, transferred to Seattle Pacific University and received a Bachelor’s degree in teaching. She taught in the Highline School District as a substitute and one year as a full time teacher.

She departed for Japan in August 1957 to minister and serve the Lord through her work at Christian Academy of Japan (CAJ), north of Tokyo, arriving in time to start the school year. She taught elementary students, worked in the school library; directed multiple school plays, worked with the school cheerleaders, and ministered at Joy Bible Camp.

She retired in 1994 after 37 years at Christian Academy.

After her retirement, she worked with the alumni to maintain contact and kept in touch with the students who now live and work and around the world.

Survivors include five brothers and three sisters: Bernard and Gertrude Habbestad and John and Karen Habbestad of Spokane, Wash; Clarence and Esther, Seattle; David and Jan Habbestad of Monroe, Ore.; Alvin Habbestad of Vashon, Sylvia and Wilburn Taylor of Franklin Park, Ill.; Sharon and Duane Kern of Fergus Falls, Minn; and Alice and Robert Richard of Issaquah.

Her friends and family say she lived a full life involved with others and keeping in contact with the people she knew and had worked with. Her mailbox was always full.

Memorials may be sent to Bethel Evangelical Free Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 725, Vashon, or charity of choice.