Joy O' June Olive (Souther) McCleary

Joy O'June Olive Souther McCleary passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin, Minnesota. She was 93 years old.

Joy was born on June 9, 1931, in a log cabin near Lakeshore, Minnesota, to William and Thelma Souther. She spent her early years in St. Paul and later attended Hamline University, where she met her husband, Robert "Bob" McCleary. The couple shared a lifelong passion for education and adventure.

After their marriage, Joy and Bob began their teaching careers with a memorable year in Hawaii before returning to Minnesota. They both secured teaching positions in Aitkin, where Joy initially taught physical education before transitioning to English—a subject she taught for the majority of her career. Her love of English and dedication to education left a lasting impact on her students and colleagues.

Summers were filled with family adventures as Joy and Bob traveled and camped across the United States and Canada with their children. After retiring, their love of exploration continued with trips overseas and visits to all 50 states. Among their favorite destinations was St. Simons Island off the coast of Georgia.

Joy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, educator, writer, and poet. Her memory will live on in the poems, essays and memoirs she has gifted to her family. She will be missed by her three children: Rob (Terry) McCleary, Beth (Roy) Joki, and Maureen (Tom) Burman; six grandchildren: Brian, Molly, Erin, Brynn, Morgan, and Alec; and six great-grandchildren: Wes, Cora, Harbor, Meya, Kinzlee, and Sophia.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bob; her parents William and Thelma; her brothers Bill and Bob; and an infant sister Cherry.

A private family gathering will be held this summer to celebrate her life.  Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Aitkin.  To leave a message of condolence, please go to www.srtfuneral.com

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