Julie Leigh Todd, 67, of North Platte, Nebraska passed away March 15, 2024 at Great Plains Health in North Platte in the loving presence of family. She was born November 18, 1956, North Platte, Nebraska to Ima Joyce Ferguson and Richard Riggs Todd.
Julie grew up in North Platte and graduated from North Platte High School with the class of 1975. After attending Kearney State College, Julie began a lifelong career as a caregiver. She cared for special needs children and adults at Bethphage in Axtell, Nebraska, Margaret Walters School in Arvada, Colorado, and with ENCOR, now known as Duet, in Omaha, Nebraska. A serious illness in 1996 interrupted her working life for many years as she fought to recover her health. Stubbornly determined, Julie returned to work at the North Platte Telegraph where she was voted Readers’ Choice #1 Newspaper Carrier. Julie turned once again to caregiving in the latter years of her life, providing loving, compassionate home care to an Alzheimer’s patient.
Julie was known by her family and many friends as sweet, loving, and considerate. She was tender and compassionate with the many people she cared for. Julie never missed a niece or nephew’s birthday, often sending a hand-made gift. She was loyal to her mother, and was a source of joy, smiles and wonderment to her siblings. She endured loving teasing, and knew how to dish it out, too. Julie often took better care of others than she did herself, reflecting her unselfish approach to those she cared for or loved.
Julie was also known for her toughness and resilience. Illnesses often tried to slow her down, but her stubborn spirit fought back and kept her going. Once, when she was assaulted, Julie responded with kicking, clawing and screaming and fought off her attacker, who fled. Questioned by police, her assailant asked “Who was that gnarly b!t$h”. That was Tough Julie, and it was a salty description she embraced as a badge of character.
Julie had a green thumb for nurturing plants, enjoyed a variety of handcrafts, collected frog and toad figurines, and loved Sandhill cranes, Husker sports, and most of all, Pepsi Cola.
Julie was preceded in death by her parents and brother Gregg Mitchell Todd. She is survived by siblings Rick (Victoria) Todd of Amarillo, Texas, Joni (Gonzalo) Gallegos of Arlington, Virginia, Jeff Todd of Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Florence Todd of North Platte; nieces Gaylene Latham, Ruthanna Todd Autry (Barron), Isabella Gallegos, Liliana Gallegos, Lydia (Elizabeth) Wilkinson Gonzales, Samantha Rabinowitz, and Lilly Rabinowitz; nephews Nathan Todd, Paul Todd, Samuel Todd, and Joe Rabinowitz; grand niece Esme Flora Gonzales and grand nephews Adam Latham, Austen Latham, and Sonny Finn Pruess; many beloved cousins; life long friend Scott Gilster; and Ivan Sandberg.
Memorials are suggested to the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with Revered Mike Evans officiating. Inurnment will follow at 2:30 P.M. at Palisade Cemetery, Palisade, Nebraska. Visitation will be noon - 7 P.M., Friday, March 22, with family receiving friends from 5 - 7 P.M. at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, who is assisting the family.