Julie Krehbiel: 1963-2022

Julie Ann (Waltner) Krehbiel was born Sept. 1, 1963 to Ervin and Edna Waltner and raised on a farm in Freeman, S.D. In 1978, she was baptized and joined Salem Mennonite Church.

Raised in a musical family and community, Julie became an accomplished vocalist, flautist and pianist. After graduating from Freeman Junior College and Sioux Falls College, she taught vocal music in South Dakota and Kansas for more than 20 years and served as an accompanist for Hesston School District for more than 10. Julie helped many young musicians develop their own love for music.

On July 7, 1990, Julie married James Krehbiel. After moving to Hesston in 1999, Julie and James welcomed daughters Halle and Jamie via international adoption. A skilled homemaker, her greatest joy was serving her family. She generously hosted family and close friends and often shared her musical gifts at Hesston Mennonite Church.

Julie finished her race Thursday, March 24, 2022 after long-term illness. We will remember Julie’s calm, easy-going nature, her quick wit, and the deep faith and strength that characterized her difficult health journey. Celebrating her memory are husband James; daughters, Halle and Jamie; father and mother-in-law, Ron and Cynthia Krehbiel; siblings: Derrold (Peggy) Waltner, Don (Sonja) Waltner, Gregg (Audrey) Waltner, Kathy (Bret) Ferguson, and Sandy (Rob) Huston.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 1 at Hesston Mennonite Church. A private burial will take place at Halstead Cemetery. Family will greet friends to celebrate Julie’s life from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 31, at Dyck Arboretum. Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Stem Communities or USD 460 Music Department in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston, Kansas 67062.