Julie Ann (Umphrey) Cates passed away Aug. 30.
She was born March 12, 1959, in Rexburg, Idaho, to Lon Allen and Viola Emily Umphrey. She was the eighth of 13 children born to this union. She lived her early years in Rexburg, Idaho, and Philipsburg, Montana, before the family moved to Laketown, Utah.
She moved to Evanston, Wyoming, when she married Steve Douglas Cates on Nov. 24, 1976. She had two children — Heather Lynne, born May 28, 1977, and Douglas Walter, born Nov. 24, 1979. She has four grandsons and one granddaughter — Scott and Avery Beaudoin and Dayton and Remington Cates and Myranda Kramer.
She worked at City Drug, Carbon Fiber, Wyoming State Hospital and Flying J. She attended school at North Rich in Laketown, Utah. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business at OCS Southwestern College.
She served as Relief Society president along with many other callings.
She is preceded in death by her daughter, Heather Cates; father, Lon Umphrey; mother, Viola Umphrey Tremelling; brother, Brent Umphrey; sister, Linda (stillborn); nephews, Travis Meginnis, David Umphrey and Joey Umphrey; and nieces, LaRee Umphrey and Shawnie Umphrey.
She is survived by her husband, Steve; son, Doug; grandsons, Scott, Avery, Dayton and Remington; granddaughter, Myranda; as well as three brothers, seven sisters and many nieces and nephews.
She moved through this world with hands always busy — and a heart always open — a woman who understood service not as duty, but as love made visible.
Julie’s legacy is simple, beautiful and eternal: Love others well. Serve with joy. Give freely. And leave the world sweeter than you found it.
A celebration of life to honor Julie and the legacy she left behind was held Saturday, Oct. 3, in the Evanston Stake Center.
