June Ellen Turpen

June Ellen Turpen, 71, of Dakota City passed away on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at a local care facility. There will be a private family graveside burial at a later date at Memorial Park.

June was born on June 1, 1951 in Kingsley, Iowa, to Harlan and Helen (Bush) Higginbotham. She was a lifelong resident of the Siouxland area, including South Sioux City and Dakota City, Nebraska. On October 17, 1969, June married Robert “Bob” Turpen, Sr. in Sioux City. The two shared 52 years of marriage until Bob passed away in March of 2022.

June worked in various positions within the South Sioux City school district, including working in the kitchen, as a school bus driver, and as an aide.

June was extremely family-oriented, and they meant everything to her. She was influential in raising her grandchildren, Koty and Jennah, and was an avid fan and huge supporter of Koty’s soccer career.

She is survived by her children: Angela Johnson (Shane), Rob Turpen, and Mike Turpen (Kari); grandson, Dakotah “Koty” (Shai Capron); seven step-grandchildren: Abbi, Nolan, Zach, Sarah, Ben, Shanelle, and Becca; brother, Harold Higginbotham (Connie); sister-in-law, Eva Waters; brothers-in-law: Adam and Leonard Turpen; and several great-grandchildren, including a special great-granddaughter on the way.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Turpen; her parents; and a granddaughter, Jennah Turpen.