Wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister, Julie Ann Stephenson (Shineman) entered fully into the presence of the lord on Friday, Oct 28, 2022. She was 57.

Julie was born July 11, 1965, to Susan and Arlyn Shineman in Benkelman, Nebraska. With her father being a federal government employee, Julie and her two younger brothers, Kirt and Garth, spent their childhoods in a few different places; Benkelman and McCook, Nebraska; Casper, Wyoming; Arvada and Evergreen, Colorado. Julie graduated from Evergreen High School. Julie was not only a scholar at Evergreen High but enjoyed drama, band, soccer, powerlifting, and swimming. Julie's competitive swimming career began at the young age of five. She became a highly decorated swimmer with medals, was named a Jr. Olympian and was the recipient of a scholarship to Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado.

In the fall of 1983, as Julie started Fort Lewis College, she met her lifetime partner and husband Don Stephenson. Don and Julie began their married life in Durango but chose to move home to Akron in 1986. Julie became a member and served at the Akron Foursquare Church, life-guarded, taught swimming lessons and was an aerobics instructor in the Akron Community. In January of 1987 Julie became a very excited and proud mother to Colton Heath. Followed by Kodie Lynn in February of 1990. As her children grew, Julie took on roles as a Story Hour volunteer and a longtime teacher at ABC Daycare and Preschool. Julie was well known for her crafting mind and abilities. She was a perennial winner of the Y-W Tree Decorating contest, Washington County Fair, and the Table Setters Annual Benefit. For many years, Julie served as the wedding coordinator for the Akron Foursquare Church. She also was often hired to make centerpieces and decorate for weddings and anniversary parties.

Julie was most proud to clean, and holiday decorate at the Akron Foursquare Church. She enjoyed her time working at the Akron Hardware Store and helping with the installation of appliances. Being a teller at Equitable Bank gave Julie a chance to visit with many community members. Her undeniable nurturing personality as a caregiver allowed her clients to remain independently at home for a longer time because of her help with daily living chores. However, Julie's longest, hardest, and most gratifying job for the past 39 years has been keeping her husband Don going – specifically the past 6 years with his heart difficulties. She has spent hundreds of hours sitting and nurturing him back to health. In 2016, Don and Julie made a permanent move to the Sterling community so Don would be closer to a hospital. Julie quickly made Sterling her new home and community.

Julie became a proud grandmother (Mamaw) in 2012 when Blaine was born, followed by Blaire, Kamdyn, McKenna, and Kessler. Julie enjoyed every minute of caretaking, crafting, playing, and just doting on her grandbabies. She would tell you this was the best job she ever had.

In Julie's free time, she enjoyed being an active member of both the Akron & Sterling Foursquare Churches, Night Hawks Women's Club, and the Card Making Club of Sterling. She was Don's faithful hunting and fishing partner, a flute player in the Akron Foursquare worship team, 4-H Mom, 4-H Drill Team Leader, and a props designer and builder for the Drama Club. Julie was an avid crafter of homemade cards and gifts for friends and family and a lover of tending to her flower gardens daily.

Julie was a strong, faithful woman who loved the Lord, the church, her family, and the community. She will be missed dearly by many.

Julie was preceded in death by both her maternal and paternal grandparents – Hoppy and Della Mae Koppinger; Harry and Helena Goodrich; Father-in-Law Jim Stephenson; Mother-in-Law Kathy Reynolds; and Step-Father-in-Law Frank Trujillo.

She is survived by her husband Don Stephenson; Children- Colton Stephenson(Wife-Sayde), Kodie Kloberdanz(Husband-Cody); Grandchildren Blaine and Blaire Kloberdanz, Kamdyn, McKenna, and Kessler Stephenson; Parents – Arlyn and Susan Shineman; Brothers – Kirt Shineman(Rich), Garth Shineman; Sister-in-Laws – Danna Krause(Tom), Darla Stephenson(Gary), Femke van Putten(Erwin); Step-Sister-in-Laws – Rosie Trujillo(Mike), Carla Finn(Steve), Eloysa Trujillo; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces & nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Foursquare Church of Akron.  Memorial donations may be made to her husband Donald Stephenson.