Julie A. Sutton | March 24, 1936 - July 21, 2021
Obituaries-Pierre / Posted Jul 23, 2021 | 3:33 PM / 332 views
A Celebration of Julie’s life will be held at 6:00pm, Monday, July 26, 2021 at the Sully Buttes Gymnasium in Onida.
Interment will follow at the Onida Cemetery.
Julie Annette Sutton was born in Huron, South Dakota on March 24, 1936, the only child of George Wayne Nelson and Sady May (Bingaman) Nelson. She grew up in various locations around the United States including San Francisco, where Sady and Julie lived while Wayne was serving his country in the Navy during WWII. They returned to South Dakota after the war to begin a farm and ranching operation with Wayne’s family.
On June 4th, 1953, Julie was married to her high school sweetheart, Jim Sutton. They lived in Brookings, while Jim was attending South Dakota State University. Their first daughter, Teri, was born there. After a short service in the ROTC where they were stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, they returned for Jim’s tryouts with the Minneapolis Lakers. After a tough decision to stay and play basketball or go to the NFR, they decided to go back to Sully County to be closer to family and friends.
Two more children, Steve and Tanya, were born while still living on the ranch. In 1969, they moved to Onida on the Nelson farm, where they still live today.
Their lives started and remained extremely busy with raising a family, rodeos, American Quarter Horse Association and ranching. She loved all the people she met along the way. Special life long friendships were made with rodeo committees, announcers, queens, cowboys, and even some basketball referees.
Organization and attention to detail in everything she did was a quality everyone knew and respected. She was a fierce and intense competitor and was very dedicated to everything she did. But Jim has always said, “She never had an enemy.” The little things mattered most to her. Birthday and anniversary cards were never forgotten. She wanted to attend all the activities of her grandkids and great grandkids – no matter if it was 100 degrees or 20 below. She was as tough as they come.
Always very well dressed and classy, Julie touched and affected everyone she has ever known. Her sense of humor was on full display, even in her final days. She helped plan her own funeral which helped us all knowing she was going to a better place.
She was a member of many organizations and committees and especially proud of the Onida Presbyterian Church. Her green salad bowl was always at church events and parties.
Julie was preceded in death by her parents, Jim’s parents and daughter Teri. Grateful for having shared in her life are her husband, Jim, of 68 years, son, Steve (Kim) Sutton, daughter Tanya (Todd) Yackley. Grandchildren: Amy (Steven) Muller, Blake (Kayla) Yackley, Brent Sutton, Sasha (Brandon) Yackley Bertsche, Brice (Alyssa) Sutton, Wayne Yackley. Great Grandchildren: Shaden Muller, Shally Muller, Jett Yackley, Nathan Nelson, Lakyn Yackley, Tracen Yackley, Briggston Bertsche, Bevin Bertsche, Ruby Sutton, Stella Sutton, and Vera Jo Yackley.
The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to the Pierre Hospice caregivers, especially Maddie Johnson and Kristin Hildebrandt.
Memorial Contributions received will help fund scholarships to be established in Julie’s name.
