June Davis

June Marie Fiksdal Davis was born to Mads and Gladys Fiksdal in Alexandria, Minnesota on June 18, 1944. At a very early age June moved with her parents to Rochester, Minnesota, where her parents opened both the Fiksdal Hotel and Flower shop directly across the street from the main entrance of Saint Mary's Hospital. Both businesses thrived and served the community for many years. At a very young age June worked at the flower shop and developed professional skills as a floral designer with a national reputation. Her design skills resulted in her being invited to appear at a number of domestic and international exhibitions. She soon became a Fellow of the FDIC. June married Merrill N. Davis III (otherwise known as "Jeff") at Zumbro Lutheran Congregation on June 20, 1971 in the presence of a large congregation. Jeff was at that time the church's Organist and Director of Music. In 1973 June and Jeff adopted their first son, Kim, who came to them as a four year old from Korea. In late 1982 June discovered she had a problem with alcohol. With her husband Jeff at her side they went to seek help. It took quite a while to convince medical professionals that June had a problem, but finally she was able to get the help she needed in Minneapolis and checked-in to a well known treatment center. Upon returning to Rochester June wanted to start a program for women suffering from addictive diseases. She and her husband purchased The Gables, a historic Pill Hill property. After months of renovation the Gables opened its doors as a Woman's Treatment Center in May of 1983. Through its many years of operation the Gables has served over three thousand clients. This past Spring the Gables was sold to NUWAY an addictive Disease clinic based in the Twin Cities. Over the years June was able to assemble an outstanding professional staff headed by Nancy Stofferahn, which included counselors, physicians, nurses and many others. June is survived by her husband of almost fifty years, a younger sister, Cynthia Balzer (Wolfgang) of Weinheim, Germany, two sons, and a very special friend, Susan Rademacher. June was very active in the Rochester community where she played both the cello and string bass with the symphony orchestra after having graduated from Rochester Junior College and studying in Chicago with a famed floral designer. June also assisted her husband, Jeff, at the various churches he served and for concerts all over the United States and Europe. Memorials can be designated to the Poverello Fund at Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN, which helps patients of Saint Marys Hospital cope with medical expenses, and where June drew her last breath. To make a donation call 1-855-852-8129 for donation method options. A Memorial Concert will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 11am at Congregational Church (974 Skyline Drive SW, Rochester, MN 55902). June's ashes are interred in the Chapel of Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester. Ranfranz and Vine is honored to be serving the Davis family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.