Alicea (June) Rothwell

January 31, 1934-September 21, 2025

June Rothwell of Shellbrook, SK passed away Sunday September 21, 2025 at the age of 91 years. June had a 3 month stay at “Rose Garden Hospice” where she faced the final stages of ALS with dignity and grace. Up until then she lived independently in her home at Mesa Way in Shellbrook, SK.

June was born to Robert and Alicea Biggart in her grandparents’ home in the Wardenville District northwest of Cut Knife, SK on January 31, 1934. She was the second child of four. She learned the value of a strong work ethic early, growing up on the family farm and when her mother fell ill, taking over the responsibility of looking after family and the household in her mid-teens. As a result, she took her grades 9 through 12 by correspondence with the assistance of a neighboring teacher. Following graduation, June took her Nurses Aid training as well as obtaining her Journeyman Beautician Certificate.

June married Byrnne Rothwell of Garrick, SK in September of 1959. Following their marriage they moved to Guelph, ONT where Byrnne was enrolled in the College of Veterinary Medicine. June managed several beauty salons and worked nights at the “Homewood Sanitorium” through the College years. Upon graduation they moved to Mission, BC, Wakaw, SK, Birch Hills, SK and eventually to Shellbrook in 1970, where June and Byrnne established “Deere Rose Veterinary Service”. June and Byrnne raised their family in Shellbrook and operated the clinic until 1985.

June was always a busy person, assisting with the practice, growing a huge garden, sewing most of her and her children’s clothes, operating as a short- order cook (no one was ever turned away at mealtime or coffee time, even when she’d been up all night, assisting Byrnne in calving time!) Raising 4 busy children active in sports, music and 4-H, as well as being actively involved in Church and Community!

After the Clinic was sold June did various things including catering, sewing, home decorating and a little hair dressing, moving a number of times with Byrnne’s career with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. This included stints in Cloverdale, BC, Saskatoon, SK, and Moose Jaw, SK.

Upon Byrnne’s retirement from the CFIA in 2002, they moved back home and set up an acreage west of Shellbrook, residing there until Byrnne’s passing in 2014. June purchased a Condo at Mesa Way in Shellbrook where through incredible determination and great friendships was able to stay until June of 2025 at which time she moved to Rose Garden Hospice. According to her well-kept records, a total of 48 moves in her lifetime!

With all her accomplishments, her pride and joy was always her family! Activities of parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, friends and of course her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were followed in detail! She always seemed to know what each person was up to and had the unique ability to touch on each person’s life, always concerned for others above her own needs with no expectation of anything in return.

June enjoyed gardening, home decorating, sewing, Scrabble, Dominoes, reading, painting with oil and acrylic and cooking a big meal for her family right up until her health would not permit her to do so the last several months.

June is lovingly remembered by her sons Jeffrae (Wendy), Kevin (Darlene); her daughters Jocelyn (Georg) Hertz-Kleptow, Karen (Chris Clark); her grandchildren Chance (Carlie) – Caitlyn & Clay, Shyla (Bryan) Verbonac – Lainey, Brantley & Fletcher, Mikala (Ryan) – Raven, Connor, Kolton Korol, Shelby (Sebastian) – James & Emmalyn, Morgan (Maddi); her sister Joyce Hewson; as well as  numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

June was predeceased by her husband Byrnne; her children in infancy Alicea, Christopher & Kelsey; her parents Robert & Alicea Biggart; her siblings Lynn Biggart (Mary) and Mae Bertrand (Leonard); her grandson Cooper Rothwell; as well as most other senior members of June & Byrnne’s family

A Memorial Service was held Friday September 26, 2025, at Shellbrook Senior’s Hall.

Interment at a later date in Honeywood Cemetery.

In lieu of tributes, donations may be made in memory of June to the Woodland Bus Association, (Box 629, Shellbrook, SK, S0J 2E0) or the Rose Garden Hospice ( 500-38th St W, Prince Albert, SK S6V 8E4).

Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Tammy Smart Funeral Director, Shellbrook, SK 306-747-2828.

• Date : 2025-09-21
• Location : Prince Albert, SK