Bessie June Andersen, 94 years wise, Liberal Kansas, passed away March 8, 2025 in Liberal. June
was the youngest of five children, adopted by Richard Willis and Nettie Pearl Boyd. Born May 19,
1930, in Kansas City, Mo., June was raised on a farm outside Meade Kansas. She drove a
tractor by the age of 8 preferring to work with her dad in the fields rather than assist Mom and
sisters in the kitchen. She never wavered from that preference!

In 1954 June married Billie LeRoy Andersen, a handsome and adventuresome young man from
the Sandhills of Nebraska. They celebrated 66 years of marriage raising their two children then
adding over 100 foster children to their family during their 44 years of active foster care. They
adopted as well and added a sister and brother to the fold.

During the decades Bill & June were foster parents, they were awarded several awards from
Saint Francis Community Services and made Foster Parents of the year receiving a
commendation from then President Barack Obama. Talking to some of her foster girls, I heard
a common theme: “they gave us a normal life Without that we would not have been successful
in our lives, we learned rules, responsibilities, accountability and respect.” Bill was mostly a
silent partner when rules were enforced, but he was a solid partner for June. She frequently
communicated with many of” her girls”, as she called them, until her passing . She was quiet,
calm, which allowed her the opportunity to listen. That became an important trait for many girls
in her care; it was important as a young adult to have a mother who quietly listened but let us
make our own decisions.

Another legacy left to the community was her involvement with OTLR (Original Town of Liberal
Revitalization). She was president of the organization until her passing, March 8. She was
proud of the projects they completed and houses they built or renovated for affordable housing
for Liberal residents.

June left a legacy to her community and her family. We are proud of the woman she was; the
mother she was, the leader she was. She will be so very missed by her family, her friends, her
girls and her community.

June is survived by daughters Seena Cox (husband Steve Skellenger) Bentonville, Ar. Nettie
Andersen, Boulder Co. Bonnie Keating (husband Russ Keating) Liberal, Ks. Sisters Char Taylor
(husband Loren) Nebraska. Kay Wolfenden Nebraska. Grandchildren Branon Cox (wife Terri
Rettig), Mesa Arizona; Breann Cox Washington D.C., Nicole Bicanich Denver Colorado, Nash
Keating (wife Vanessa), Liberal and Kinnedy Keating, Kansas City.

She recently became a great grandmother and leaves numerous cousins, nieces, nephews,
grand nieces and nephews as well as good friends and neighbors.

Preceding June in death is her husband Bill, her sisters Ada and Dorinda, brothers Berkley and Clyde,
Parents Richard and Nettie.

There will be no public viewing.

Funeral Service will be 10:30am Saturday March 15, 2025 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church.
Burial will follow at the Liberal City Cemetery.

Friends may send condolences to the family through June’s tribute web page at millermortuary.net