Julie Ann Westrate, 64, of Kingsley, stepped into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Sunday, April 25, 2021 at Munson Medical Center.
Julie was born in Traverse City on April 24, 1957, the second of two daughters born to Donald Edward and Dorothy Emily (Wheat) Westrate. Julie lived her entire life in the Kingsley community.
She attended Kingsley schools, graduating in 1975, and then attended cosmetology school. Julie worked for many years in the salon at Meijer before it closed and then worked in several other beauty shops over the years. For the last several years, Julie has been a full-time substitute at Traverse City Christian School, where she was an ardent supporter of all of the school's activities and was loved by all there. Julie was a long-time member of Bible Baptist Church where she served as a pianist and organist, worked tirelessly with the youth program and served in other areas of the church, especially the fair ministry. Previously she had been a member of Kingsley Baptist Church.
Over the years, Julie enjoyed helping out at Lake Ann Camp, as well as spending time hiking, was an original member of the Second Time Arounders Cherry Festival Band and participated in that every year, but her favorite thing was gardening and doing landscaping.
Julie was loved and appreciated by so many and her love of life was always bubbling over. She will continue to live through others by her generous gift of organ donation through the Gift of Life program.
Surviving Julie is her sister, Jenifer Westrate of Grand Rapids and her aunt, Barbara Wheat of Charlevoix. Julie is also survived by many cousins and her extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A service to celebrate Julie's life will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, April 30 at Bible Baptist Church with Pastor Joel Brown officiating. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. For those that wish, the service will be livestreamed and can be accessed at www.rjfh.tv (click on Julie's photo to connect) or could be viewed later at Julie's tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . By visiting her webpage, you may also leave messages and memories for her family to see. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Kingsley.
For those who wish to remember Julie through a memorial contribution, it is suggested that you consider Traverse City Christian School Tuition Assistance Fund, 753 Emerson Rd., Traverse City, 49696, Bible Baptist Church, 1915 Cass Rd., Traverse City, 49685 or Kingsley Baptist Church, 7511 Blackman Rd., Kingsley 49649.
The family is being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services