Julie Spence-Jones, 99, of Oelwein passed away Sunday May 4, 2025 at Arlington Place Assisted Living in Oelwein. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM on Monday May 12, 2025 at the Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home in Oelwein with a Rosary Service beginning at 3:45 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 AM on Tuesday May 13, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein with Fr. David Ambrosy and Deacon Jim Patera officiating. Inurnment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Oelwein. Memorials may be directed to the family for a later designation. A Special thank you to St. Croix Hospice and Arlington Place staff.
Julie Ann Verbeck was born January 22, 1926 in rural Stanley to parents August and Florence (Harper) Verbeck. She graduated from Stanley High School. On June 13, 1949 she was united in marriage with Thomas Spence at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein. He predeceased her. On February 6, 1987 she was united in marriage with John “Jack” Jones at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein.
The most cherished roles of Julie were mom, grandma, and gg'ma. Her job as farm wife included all of the usual kid activities such as: school events, singing with the kids while doing chores and dishes, swimming lessons, and most importantly church. As the children grew older, Julie worked outside of the home at Miller-Wohl and as a receptionist for Doctors Roling and Imoehl. She always loved to work with people dating back to before she was married as a bookkeeper for the Gambles store in Oelwein.
Julie enjoyed, playing bridge, and ballroom dancing. After her first love, Tom passed away, she continued her enjoyment of dancing by going out with girlfriends to dance; and there, she met Jack. After many dances, she and Jack married, and he gave her an opportunity to experience a second life. Literally! She went from being a farm wife to becoming a traveler, camper, boater, golfer and sightseer. Julie loved being a "winter Texan” and also liked touring the West on the back of Jack's motorcycle.
One of Julie's greatest travel memories was taking a cruise for her 90th birthday with all of her children. She bought a swimming suit and enjoyed dangling her feet in the pool with all her kids. After returning home to assisted living, she couldn't wait to tell anyone who would listen about her trip.
Over the years, her children heard many terms to describe their mom: the nicest woman, a saint, beautiful inside and out, sweet, and kind. Julie was a bright star to all who knew her, and she set the example of being a devoted Catholic mom. Now, that star is a little dimmer here but shines brightly in Heaven.
Left to celebrate Julie’s life are her children: Coleen Crew of Knoxville, Kathy (Bob) Kelly of Boone, Julie (Tom) Schmitz of Oelwein, Mary (Bernie) Thomas of Oelwein, Lori Pirillo of Dallas Center and Jim (Carolyn) Spence of Oelwein; her step-children: Cheryl (Rex) Gunderson, John (Dee) Jones III, Kim McCrary, Jerri Frye and Gloria Jones; sixteen grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren with two on the way; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Julie was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; two brothers and two sisters.
