Your journey began here 79 years ago as Judy Peck in Sturgis, South Dakota.  Coincidentally, after your mom passed, you were welcomed into the house of Pearl and Clarence "Pappy" Hoel (pronounced Hoyle).  Having learned this only recently, I smile and think "Me on an Indian or Harley Cycle and Julie as my biker chic." She is up there with her mom laughing at that one! As I am.

I had talked with Ken King, son of Jenny King, Julie's surviving sister. He sent the attached photo of Pearl & "Pappy's" house.

You had been adopted out from Sturgis by Peter D. and Juliette Monzel of Webster, South Dakota. You grew up in Webster and graduated from Webster High School in 1958.

Some photos accompany your growth. You and your adopted brother, Peter John. As you grew up from four years old. In one photo you are sitting with your brother on the side walk, and in another you are waving in mid-winter.

You spent much of your time at Pickerel Lake with the family. You enjoyed fishing and are shown here with your grandpa showing a big catch.

Many more memories are from Webster. The most significant was meeting your biological siblings in 1977. You were You were shocked to say the least. You met brothers, Bill, Doug, and Bob, along with sisters-in-law, Yvonne and Shirley. Also, there were nine more siblings that you will meet up in Heaven.

The accompanying photos show her other siblings, Molly, Virginia, Bette, Marge, John, Darlene, Carl, Bill, and Doug.

You continued your journey from Webster to Buffalo, NY to visit your aunt, Rose Sheel. While there in 1963, working a summer job, Julie met John. Our 57 years then began. They were married in Webster, South Dakota on April 4, 1964 at St. Otto's Church. They resided in Buffalo/Hamburg until 1977. John accepted a job in Watertown, South Dakoat, where they resided until 1979.

Julie loved stage theatre and while there, joined others in performing theatre in Watertown. She was a great success with several stage productions. She starred in the play "The Night of January 16 ^th ," an Ayn Rand Production. She was a smash. She was great!  It was at that time I realized I could not do stage theatre . . . all those lines to remember.

A final leg in our journey took us to St. Paul, Minnesota and a position there in Roseville, a beautiful suburb of St. Paul. As much as she loved stage theatre, she relished in the retail world. In cumulation she had her own shop "Reliques," a French word for replica. She specialized in Cubic Zirconia rings, jewelry, silk scarves, and even her own line of perfume, called "Tease" by Judi Rae. After great success came the medical reality of life. She retreated to an easier schedule, because of diabetes.

Her passion for animals was always in the forefront. She championed work with feral cats and adopting our dogs. She loved her sports and was always a member of the "Mafia". Go Bills! Even though we were in serious "Vikings" country. As with all journeys, there is an end.

As for Julie, it was January 26, 2021 due to diabetic and pneumonia complications at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

To describe Julie: vibrant, loving, beautiful, passionate, and talented. I remember recently talking and laughing together with her about her many "Virginia Slims" moments as I called them. Funny, crazy, and always timely.

One moment in particular stands out. Julie was to meet my sisters for the first time at my mom's house. The rule was to never smoke in front of my mom at her house . . . until Julie. She lit up a cigarette. I asked, as well as my sisters, for her to put it out. Mom stepped in and said, "That's OK, let her finish". To describe the moment would be "smoke coming from my sisters' ears and red-faced while Julie exhaled."

Julie would best describe this moment of remembrance with some special words by Brandy Clark . . .

She'd say, "You should've known me when I was 20!

When life was a long road ahead with no end.

I was a fast car riding pretty

But I had a ball and I'd do it all over again.

Just…

Remember me beautiful,

Remember me young.

Remember me smiling,

My face towards the sun.

Remember me happy,

When you remember what was.

Oh, but most of all,

Remember my love."

For me it has been an awesome journey, yours ended too soon. Mine continues, but with loneliness, missing my best friend. You entered my life when I needed a best friend and a great partner. All came true.

In her life she wore many hats, three names, and had three families. Judy Rae Peck, Juliette Monzel, and Julie Pinter. There are many cherished memories and she was loved by all.

I'm here now to bring you full circle, as promised. You're with your mom now, Marie Elizebeth, and baby, Geraldine. Sadly, on the way home from Sturgis, your brother, Robert, passed last week and is with you now. Your sister, Jenny, here with me today with a shared love for you.

To my Julie and Heaven's Judy;

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane,

I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you back again.

My Julie, Heaven's Judy, I miss and I love you both.

My Eternal love,

John