Julie Ellen Johnston

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Julie Ellen Johnston (Nee Nelson) of Walla Walla on January 3, 2024, at the age of 64 years.

Julie was born in Omak, WA, on December 16, 1959; she was the youngest and only girl of five children of Gerald and Ellen (Murray) Nelson. She grew up on the family ranch in Riverside, WA. She attended and graduated from Omak High School.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 36 years, Ricky Johnston; son, Cameron Johnston (Ashley); grandchildren, Peyton, Riplee, and Bishop; brother, Rod Nelson and Tim Nelson; sisters-in-law, Lynne Crawford Nelson and Tarice Wilcox; aunt, Geraldine Wilson; uncle, Don Tugaw; nieces, Jill Baker­ Patrick, Erin Sanborn, Kim Nelson and Kayla Asher (Steven); Nephews, Andy Slater and Jason Gazaway; cousins, Mark Wilson (Kim), Angela Wilson, Cindy Lightfoot (Mark), Randy Tugaw (Cindy), Bradley Tugaw; as well as numerous relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Ralph and Hazel (Zufall) Nelson, Cecil and Eunice (Caldwell) Murray; parents, Gerald Nelson and Ellen (Murray) Nelson; uncle, James Murray; aunt, Janet Tugaw; brothers, Jerry Nelson and Kyle "KC" Nelson; brother-in-law, Brad Johnston; and her in-laws, Dave and Leona Johnston.

A celebration of Life for Julie will be held on January 27, 2024, at 11:00 am, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 102 N Colville St, Walla Walla WA.

A graveside ceremony in Riverside, WA, will be announced in the spring.

Memorial contributions may be made to Providence St. Mary Regional Cancer Center through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.