“Honor her for all that her hands have done…” Proverbs 31:31(a)

   Julia “Julie” Ann (Esser) Sanders, 70, of Ashton, SD, passed away Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at Avantara Redfield in Redfield, SD. 

   Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield.  A Scriptural Prayer Service, Time of Sharing, and Rosary will begin at 5:00 p.m.

   Julie’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 12, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Redfield.  Reverend John Short will officiate.  After the service, burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield.  Lunch and fellowship will follow at the church hall.

   Her Mass of Christian Burial will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website below Julie’s obituary. Hyke Funeral Home (www.hykefuneralhome.com) has been entrusted with Julie’s funeral arrangements.

   Julie was born on November 22, 1952, in Redfield, SD, to Matt and Frances (West) Esser.  She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Zell, SD, and Redfield High School, graduating in 1970. 

    On May 15, 1971, Julie married Bob Sanders at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Redfield.  Together, they raised three children: Bobbi Jo (Peter) Lahr of Ashton, SD, Becky Sanders (Ron Price), and Mike (Ginah) Sanders, all of Redfield, SD.  Julie’s devotion to Bob, until he died on January 15, 2010, to her children and their spouses, and to her cherished grandchildren, Jalia, Jalisa, Elania, Grayson, Landon, and Adrianna, was second to none.  Her greatest joy in life was making her family, and especially her grandchildren, a little happier.

    Julie worked at Super America, “the old” Dairy Queen, and Food Pride—all major social hubs in Redfield.  As such, Julie was a conduit for reporting local happenings and, more importantly, was a friend to all who crossed her path.  Her final job, caring for Bob, was her highest calling and she did it with great love and faithfulness.  

    Julie lived her entire life in and around Redfield–a hometown filled with people she treasured. She leaves us all with indelible marks of kindness, service, joy-filled laughter (the really loud kind), and a deep and abiding love for family, friends, and community.  And yes, making sure we all, as well as her favorite alley cats, were always well-fed.  You simply can’t think of Julie without thinking of her big heart and all that her hands have done.

    Along with Julie’s children and grandchildren, grateful for having shared her life are her brothers:  Paul

(Tia) Esser of Sioux Falls, SD; Terry (Rhonda) Esser of Marble Falls, TX; Tim (Jane) Esser of York, NE; sisters-in-law: Donna Sanders of Westminster, CA and Norma Herren of Redfield, SD; and several nieces, nephews, great- nieces and nephews, and cousins.  

    Julie was predeceased by her parents, Matt and Frances Esser; husband, Robert; parents-in-law, Arnold and Margaret Sanders; an infant sister; nieces, Leslie Esser and Elizabeth Lias; and two brothers-in-law.