June Audrey Davis

On Jan. 15, 1937, June was born the middle child of nine in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was the last time she failed to rise to the top. Like her father, Edward Boucher, a tailor and shop owner, June was artistic, sensitive, and discerning of beauty and style. Like her mother, Gertrude (Nicholls) Boucher, June was a strong woman of integrity with a tenacious faith and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. After accepting the Lord when a neighbor invited the family to Milwaukee Gospel Tabernacle in 1947, June’s desire was to play the piano for church. After only a few months of taking her sister Jeanette’s unwanted but paid-for piano lessons, June was the only one willing to play a small, portable pump organ for outreach services in downtown Milwaukee. At first, 11-year-old June played songs by ear using just one hand. “Lord,” she prayed, “If You will help me learn to play, I will always use my music for You.” He was faithful, and so was she. June played the piano and organ—often leading worship from the piano—for various churches for more than 50 years. Her special gifts included song selection for altar calls, knowing the best key for every song, and moving seamlessly from one song to another. She continued playing the piano until shortly before her death, when God and her family were her only audience. In 1958 June graduated from Zion Bible Institute (Providence, Rhode Island), where she further excelled in music ministry, playing the piano and often singing with sister Barbara and brother Louis. There she further refined the ability to teach, lead, and perform that she had first demonstrated in skits and Vacation Bible Schools with her siblings. In 1959 she married James Bicket, a math teacher, and moved to Madison. Two daughters were soon added to the family, Cindy (Ferguson) and Tammy (Bicket). Besides playing music, some of June’s favorites included decorating, flower arranging (she worked for a time at Felly’s and Creative Expressions), storytelling, and creatively teaching. Perhaps her greatest impact was through her hospitality: over the years, countless people were welcomed to the Bicket home for fine food, laughter, and meaningful conversation. Widowed twice, June met Keith Davis at a grief recovery meeting in 1986. June was the only attendee who wrote her phone number on the sign-in sheet and passed it to Keith, who recognized a gift from God. After 12 years of dating, June married Keith on Independence Day, 1998, at the Red Mill Chapel in Waupaca. Sixteen years later, as illness relentlessly stalked June, it became increasingly clear that God had given June a gift in Keith. Beyond refilling her Cherry Coke, sharing her love of antique and thrift stores, and indulging her obsession with dishes, Keith’s faithful care and service allowed her to remain in the beautiful home she loved until she died there, with Keith holding her hand and telling her he loved her. Just after midnight on November 21, 2017, June rejoined her parents, siblings Edward, Louise, and Eunice, other loved ones and friends, and, most importantly, the God she faithfully loved and served—in heaven. Missing her are her much-loved husband Keith; siblings Jeanette Venske, Barbara Bloedow, Rev. Louis (Geri) Boucher, evangelist Gerti Rideout, and Sandra (Joe) Miller; daughters Cindy (Tom) Ferguson and Tammy Bicket; step-daughters Vicki (Frank) Klingan and Debbie Doe (Brent Ellis); grandchildren James (Casey) Ferguson, Sommer (Leo) Cacho, Skye (Elevi) Cacho, and Story Ferguson; four great-grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and five step-great-grandchildren; Sheltie Danny; and many friends, nieces, and nephews.Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12 noon until the time of the service on Saturday.  Special thanks to Tammy and Yvonne of Comfort Keepers and the many dedicated, kind, ministering angels of Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.  Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Ave.  (608) 831-6761