Julie Ann Strand was born February 7, 1956, at the Brush Hospital to Carl "Harold" and Beverly (Lesser) Strand. She passed away at Lutheran Hospital in Wheatridge, CO on March 18, 2016, with her Mother by her side. Julie was blessed with one sister, Carla, and two brothers, Dan and Dave and many more aunts and uncles, as well as several cousins and many, many friends.

At an early age, Julie was diagnosed with a developmental disability due to unknown circumstances. She was later diagnosed with Angelmans Syndrome. Julie entered care at the Wheatridge Center and spent time with her family as well. She enjoyed her first group home in Julesburg, where she met and made many new friends. As her health began to fail, she enjoyed her stay at a group home in Sterling, where she made even more new friends and enjoyed the work shop and outings. As her health needs became more fragile, she returned to the Wheatridge Regional Center to continue her life. This is where Julie enjoyed delivering meals to shut ins. Julie, being non- verbal since birth, made her needs known in many ways, but the most noticeable was her gift of happiness. She shared vast numbers of hugs and smiles with everyone she met. She knew no boundaries with her love. She was a very active person, participating in Special Olympics and won a first place trophy for her back stroke in swimming. She also enjoyed bowling and river rafting. The people who knew her shared that their lives became happier by knowing her. She was a ray of sunshine, always giving to others what she had received as a gift from God. Her last gift was sharing the corneas of her eyes so that others might see the beauty of life.

Julie leaves behind her Mother, Beverly, her sister Carla Krueger and her husband Stan; her brother Dan and his wife Sherry; her brother Dave and his wife Andrea; nieces and nephews Nathan and Kim Krueger and family, Katie and Chad Lorenzini and family, Josh and Shiloh Strand and family, Ryan Strand, Rachel Strand, Barry Strand, and Michaela Graham. She was preceded in death by her Father, Harold Strand; her grandparents, Aaron & Beda Marie Strand, Harry & Esther Persons, and Sam Lesser.