Julie K. McMillan

Julie K. McMillan, 43 of Hawarden, Iowa formerly of Sioux City, Iowa passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Her passing leaves a hole in the lives of everyone who knew and loved her. Memorial service will be held 7:00pm Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at the American Lutheran Church in Hawarden, 1420 12th Street. Visitation will be from 4:00pm until service time at the church.

Julie was born March 3,1983 in Sioux City to Kel and Jan (Christensen) McMillan. She grew up with 2 older brothers in the Frog Pond neighborhood in Hawarden, Iowa. She attended West Sioux Community School in Hawarden; graduating in 2001. She went to University of Northern Iowa planning to become an accountant. She reached the conclusion that accounting law and numbers were boring; so she changed her major to Family Services. She had always been interested in mortuary school. A chance to work at Dahl – Van Hove – Schoof Funeral Home in Cedar Falls as a College Student Funeral Intern changed her trajectory. She spent 2 ½ years working for them and living rent free in an apartment at the funeral home. Julie graduated from UNI 2005 with a degree in Family Services. She moved to Kansas City, Kansas to attend Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) and earned a degree in Mortuary Science.

While going to school at KCKCC she started working at Sioux City location. Her boss, Roger, became her boss, mentor and a good friend. She found her calling as a funeral director, bringing, compassion, grace and care to families during their most difficult moments. Health challenges forced her retirement in 2020. She moved back to Hawarden to be closer to her parents and for them to help her. Being home, surrounded by family and friends meant a great deal to her.

Julie filled her free time with repurposing thrift store finds for her home and fashioning vintage clothing. She enjoyed watching movies and giving reviews and recommendations to friends and family on what to watch. She used her creativity to decorate, making diamond art pictures and photography (especially landscapes, sunsets, butterflies, birds and flowers.

Julie is survived by her parents Kel and Jan McMillan of Hawarden. Brother Phil and his wife Lori of Woodbury, Minnesota and their sons Grant and Jackson. Brother Randy and his wife Laura of Tracy, California and their children Darian (Ivan), Ayden and Isabel. Her beloved therapy Cat, Sebastian (King Sebastian the Third of Meowington)who was her constant companion. Many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Julie was preceded in death by her grandparents Gordon & Ardis Christensen, Elmer and Gen McMillan, first cousin Shanna Rae Christensen and pets Tink, Mufasa and Lilly.

Memorials may be directed to West Sioux Educational Foundation or Watchdog Educational Foundation for the Shanna Rae Christensen Memorial Scholarship.