June Leifson's Obituary
June Leifson passed away peacefully on June 10, 2026, in Orem, Utah. She was born June 27, 1933, in Spanish Fork, Utah, to loving and caring parents, J. Victor Leifson and Mary Bradford Leifson. She was the 8th of their 11 children. Her earthly life was devoted to her family, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the nursing profession. She felt a profound love for her Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ and His gospel. June’s life was filled with service to God and her fellowman. She served a full-time mission to the Northern Far East Mission (Japan). Other church callings included serving as a ward Relief Society president, ward librarian, and Ward Temple and Family History consultant. She especially loved starting a Primary in a small Hawaiian village prior to her call as a full-time missionary to Japan.
June’s professional nursing education comprised a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, a master’s degree from Wayne State University, and a Ph. D. in Family Studies from BYU. Her professional career first took her to Hawaii as a Public Health nurse. She later taught nursing at the University of Utah and BYU. Her 24 years of employment at BYU included acting as Assistant Dean of the Graduate Nursing program and later as Dean of Nursing. June was passionate about teaching nursing and loved her students.
She received accolades and awards for her contributions to the nursing profession, all of which were well-deserved. Her articles were published in professional journals, and she was a respected past president of the Utah Nurses Association. June felt sincere gratitude for the abundant opportunities she received during her mortal life.
She was an avid reader and loved to travel for business and pleasure. Highlights were trips to Iceland, Israel, and Ireland. She loved visiting Church history sites and enjoyed temple tours in northern Europe and the South Pacific. At the conclusion of her professional employment, June devoted her time to her family, friends, and oil painting. June loved her Icelandic heritage and spent many hours doing Icelandic genealogical research during her retirement years.
June is survived by a brother, Mark (Freda Kaye) Leifson, and a sister-in-law, Marilyn Leifson. Another loved sister-in-law, Loyce Leifson, passed away the following day. June deeply loved every one of her numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, and they adored her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers: Glen, Ted, Thor, Allen, and Jack Leifson; and her sisters, Freda McKell, Luene Ludlow, Afton Rosenbaum, and Elaine Pullman. Also preceded in death by brothers-in-law: William E. McKell, Daniel H. Ludlow, Var B. Rosenbaum, and Dee Pullman; and sisters-in-law Ruth Nelson Leifson and Mary Lou Whiting Leifson, and a number of special aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friend, Charlene Wellard.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 11 a.m. with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Orem Park 7th Ward, 114 South 400 West, Orem. Friends and family may also pay their respects on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. at the above location. Interment in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the June Leifson Scholarship Fund, BYU College of Nursing; Intermountain Foundation (Spanish Fork Hospital); or a charity of your choice.
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