Julianna Erbert Zahn, 62, passed away on Dec. 31, 2014, in Phoenix, Ariz., at the Hospice of the Valley at Mayo Clinic after a 5½-year battle with lymphoma.
Julie was born on March 28, 1952, in Burlington, Colo., the daughter of Harold and Dona Erbert.
Julie is survived by her husband, Richard; Mollie Elizabeth, her daughter from Dallas, Hillary Anne, her daughter from Los Angeles, and Hillary’s friend, Eric Salucci, from New York City. She is also survived by her mother, Dona, her sisters, Luann, Deanna, Debbie and Lori; her brothers, Don and Jerry; her brother-in-law, Charles, and sister-in-law, Jackie, from Hawaii; and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and lifetime friends.
Julie was baptized at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Burlington, Colo. She was confirmed and received her first holy communion at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Colorado Springs. Julie attended schools at Corpus Christi Parish Elementary in Colorado Springs, St. John’s in Iola and graduated from Iola High School, where she was head cheerleader and homecoming queen. She was a proud graduate of Allen County Community College, where she won a state business competition and received national community college recognition under the coaching of Dave Roos.
Julie and her husband, Richard, were married at St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola. During their 41 years of marriage, they resided in six states and Julie was active in every community where she lived. She was a Girl Scout leader, certified national youth sports coach, substitute teacher and leader in the PTA as secretary, treasurer, vice president and president. She volunteered for many service organizations, including the Children’s Health Fund and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where she helped raise $4 million. Julie was instrumental in donating the funds to create and renovate The Funston Museum in Iola. She also helped provide more than 100 college scholarships to Iola High School students, 60 scholarships to Allen County Community College, and endowed a Women in Business scholarship at Indiana University.
Julie enjoyed watching old Hollywood movies, Broadway plays, Regis Philbin, “Days Of Our Lives,” “Downton Abbey” and “Homeland.” She also loved her famous corn and rice pudding recipes, talking on the phone with her friends and family in Kansas, and was a master at organizing closets. Julie enjoyed garage sales and never missed a good flea market. She visited large flea markets in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, London, Paris, Berlin and Australia.
She loved fresh snow, the Kansas wind, ocean views at the New Jersey shore, spending time with her dogs, autumn in Central Park, the joy of children, the sound of rain in the desert, traveling with her family and her beloved “little” beach house.
She did not tolerate rude people and back seat drivers.
Julie traveled to 45 states in the United States and visited more than 15 foreign countries. But Iola, Kansas, was always home.
Her greatest achievements were her marriage of 41 years and producing and raising two beautiful, accomplished daughters who reflect her values, caring, and kindness. She would say that she is very proud of her daughters, her greatest joy!
Julie had a life well lived, she was not impressed by power or prestige, but by acts of kindness by ordinary people. She will truly be missed, but her strength and love live on.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery in Iola. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola.
Memorial gifts to the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility (ACARF) or Allen County Hospice may be left with Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. To sign the guest book online or leave a condolence, go to www.iolafuneral.com.
Julianna Zahn
