Julie Jones, 49

Julie Marie (Kirk) Jones was born to Raymond and Jane (VanWinkle) Kirk on February 21, 1961 in Tyler, Minnesota. She was baptized and later confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Balaton, Minnesota. She was raised on a farm in Lyon County, attended Balaton Elementary School and graduated from Balaton High School in 1979. Julie attended Granite Falls AVTI and graduated in 1980. On May 16, 1981, Julie married Cary Jones at Trinity Lutheran Church. The couple lived in Marshall, Minnesota for two years before moving into their current farm home in rural Balaton.

  In their 28 years of marriage, they were blessed with three children and two grandchildren. Julie worked at Schwan’s Food Company for 27 years and at Shopko for two years. After being diagnosed with late-stage cancer, Julie continued to have a zest for life and fought courageously until her last breath to beat the disease. She inspired everyone around her with her optimism and bravery. But Julie lost her earthly battle for life and passed away peacefully with her loving husband at her side on Saturday, August 7, 2010, at home at the age of 49 years, five months and 17 days. While cancer won the battle with her body, Julie’s spirit remains alive.

Julie enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing games and cards, and supporting her children and family in sporting events. She took great joy in horseback riding, volleyball, basketball and softball in her earlier years. She loved volleyball and the Minnesota Vikings football team, proudly wearing the purple and yellow for every game. Julie was often quiet, but she rarely missed an opportunity to add a wise crack when you least expected it. She loved Christmas time and especially her annual Christmas shopping trip as well as her Autumn craft fair. She was hands-down the best bargain shopper around. Being at the lake cabin was one of her favorite places and she loved boating. Julie was also first in line at Valleyfair and would be on the rides until the park closed. She was an amazing baker and was generous with her goodies. Julie also collected village houses, Merry Moos and porcelain dolls. She served on the Trinity Lutheran Church council for two terms and was active in her church circle.

Julie is lovingly remembered by her husband Cary Jones of Balaton, MN; three children: Matthew (and Missy) Jones of Tracy, MN, Nathan (and Monica Pina) of Breckenridge, TX, and Shelbie Jones of Balaton, MN; brothers: Doug (and Jill) Kirk of Breckenridge, TX, and Dan “Hondo” (and Pam) Kirk of Balaton, MN; sisters: Deb (and Darwin) Saxton of Tracy, MN and Jenny (and Bernie Przymus) of Balaton, MN; father Raymond Kirk of Balaton, MN; father-in-law Glenn Jones of Marshall, MN; brother-in-law Brian (and Susan) Jones of Marshall, MN; sister-in-law Brenda (and Bob) Prellwitz of Minneota, MN; grandchildren: Emily Jones of Breckenridge, TX and Zachary Jones of Tracy, MN; many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Her mother Jane, infant sister Brenda and mother-in-law Irene Jones preceded her in death.