Velda June “Junie” DuCharme, age 78, of Eastman, WI passed away on May 2, 2017 at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse due to complications following surgery. She was born June 12, 1938, in Prairie du Chien to Naomi and Henry Hollenberger.  Junie had 3 siblings, Leota (Robert) Granzow of Eastman, Ron (Sylvia) Hollenberger of Prairie du Chien, and Ken (Alla) Hollenberger of Eastman.  She married LaVerne DuCharme on June 20th, 1959, and enjoyed 57 years of marriage.  LaVerne passed away January 30, 2017.  They were blessed with 3 children, 12 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.  Lynn (Marvin) O'Kane of Prairie du Chien with their children Dustin, Tyler, Megan, and Kylee along with great grandchild Zoe. Daniel (Stacy) DuCharme of Hudson with their children Deven (Nick) Rinta, Brett, Dena, Bryce, Brennan and Braden.  John (Erin) DuCharme of Waunakee with their children Shea and Weston.  Junie was a teacher and lifelong learner.  She graduated from Prairie du Chien High School in 1956.  She then attended Wisconsin State College-Platteville where she earned her Rural Education Certificate in 1958 and started her 38 year teaching career the following school year at Seven Mile School, a rural one room school near Prairie du Chien.  Junie received her Bachelor of Science Teaching degree in 1966 from UW-Platteville.  She later taught at South Elementary near Seneca and in 1973 began a 23 year kindergarten teaching career for the Prairie du Chien School district.  She continued to fill in as a substitute teacher for another 15 years following retirement.  Junie loved to reminisce to family and friends about her coworkers and all the students she taught over the years.  It was amazing how many names, faces, and events she could recall.   Junie was always on the move and loved to travel.  She was an excellent cook and liked to prepare meals for family and friends.  She loved to do arts and crafts and was very skilled at painting.  She rarely missed a grandchild’s event, whether it was a school concert, a 4-H skit, or a sporting event.

The family will receive friends on Friday May 5th from 4:00PM to 8:00PM at Garrity Funeral Home in Prairie du Chien, WI.  There will be a wake scripture at 7:45PM. A graveside service will be conducted at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church Cemetery in Eastman on Saturday, May 6th at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, please support the new community art gallery that will be located near the Prairie du Chien High School. www.garrityfuneralhome.com

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