June D. Kossover

June (Dumond) Kossover, 83 of Shawnee, KS, passed away Friday, February 5, 2021 with her children by her side at Advent Shawnee Mission Medical Center, following a graceful and fearless fight against complications from cancer, COVID-19 and MRSA .

June was born June 22, 1937 in Humphrey, Arkansas to Roy L. and Martha (Heinzelman) Dumond. June grew up in Little Rock, AR and graduated high school early from Little Rock Central. In her youth, June was an accomplished swimmer and diver and met Harold Kossover, the local lifeguard and her future husband, while training for the national junior dive competition. They married in 1956 in Little Rock and relocated to Joplin, MO and then Topeka, KS in 1961.

June and Harold raised their three children in Topeka and were active in their children's schools, sports and extracurricular activities, as well as the Topeka community. June attended Washburn University and was employed by USD 501, Wood Valley Racquet Club, the Kansas Legislature, and Menninger Foundation, prior to relocating to Dallas, TX. June retired from The University of Texas at Dallas and returned to Shawnee, KS in retirement.

June was an engaging story-teller, with a bit of an ornery side and fast beautiful smile, who welcomed all kids into her heart, life and home. With her sense of humor and quick wit, strong faith and incredible resilience, June made friends everywhere she went, never forgetting a name or detail. She attended Countryside and Gage Park Baptist, Lowman Hill United Methodist churches in Topeka, First United Methodist of Richardson, TX and St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Lenexa. June was an avid sports fan and loved watching her children and grandchildren play tennis, baseball, softball and dance, cheering on her Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas Jayhawks, Arkansas Razorbacks and a multitude of tennis and golf pros. Her greatest joys and accomplishments were her children and grandchildren. Later in life, she reveled in her time with her grandchildren, whom she adored. June loved to play Bridge, sew and was a life-long avid reader, puzzle and problem solver, and the best Gram ever.

June was proceeded in death by her husband Harold, her mother Martha, father Roy, step-mother and best friend Agnes Dumond, and sister and brother-in-law Nona and Roy "Buddy" Greenfield. June is survived by her children Kristy and Mark Hensel of Yaak, MT, Greg and Gina-Lynne Kossover of Wichita and Tulsa, Alison Kossover of Shawnee, and grandchildren Caitlin Robinson (Dallas, TX), Matthew Hensel (Dallas, TX), Ethan and Emma Kossover (Wichita), Matthew Smith (Tulsa), Mia Kossover (Wichita), Mia-Lynne Smith (Tulsa) and Harris Kossover (Wichita). In addition, June is survived by her brothers R.L. and Michael (Dee) Dumond, cherished sister JoAnn Gourley, sisters-in-law Molly Melton and Harriette Kossover, brothers-in-law Jerry (Becky) and David (Karen) Kossover, all of Arkansas, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. The family would also like to acknowledge the long friendships, encouragement, support and love of June's closest friends Betty Wells and Sheryl and Roger Threde.

The family thanks June's many caregivers, and Dr. Kenneth Norton and his staff, for their tender, compassionate and loving care these last months.

Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home in Topeka,1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604. The family will greet friends following the service until 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

A family service and interment at Forest Hills Cemetery, Alexander, AR will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Condolences may be sent to Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 14275 S Black Bob Rd, Olathe, KS 66062.

To leave a message of condolence for June's family, or to share a memory of June, visit the guestbook below.

To view the memorial service for June, please click the service video below.