Julie Ann Rich peacefully passed away in her home Friday evening on April 6, 2018, surrounded by her friends and family. She was born March 24, 1957 in Springfield, Missouri. She attended and graduated from Greenwood High school where she met her husband, Steven B. Rich, and they married July 26, 1975. Her greatest roles were wife, mother, caretaker, and grandmother. She also held many impactful roles in her church, her daughter's schools, and with interior design.

Julie was diagnosed with Endometrial Serous Cancer in April 2016. She bravely fought the disease with whatever treatments were possible over the past 2 years, and did so with grace and tremendous courage. Julie's family is extremely grateful to the talented and caring staff at the Central Care Cancer Center and Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Missouri for taking such great care of our mother during her treatments. A special thanks to oncologist Dr. Leo Shunyakov for always providing Julie hope and the longest possible extension of her life here on earth. Thank you to Home Sweet Healthcare for their care of Julie in her home in her last few days. Her daughters would also like to thank Dave Ogan for his never ending optimism and companionship.

Julie was blessed with two daughters, Amy Elizabeth, and Emily Kathryn. She was a dedicated mother not only to her two daughters, but also to many of their friends. She was a wonderful cook and hostess, and always had more than enough food for sleepovers and unexpected snow days. She extended this love of cooking and service to her church where she helped create several dinner programs for the church and youth group camps that continue on to this day.

One of her greatest loves was interior design, which was evident in her beautiful home. She so enjoyed the opportunities to decorate for special Christmas events at the Chateau on the Lake and Titanic museum in Branson, Missouri. Her other loves were the family cabin at Table Rock Lake, vacationing in Colorado with family and friends, cycling at Wilson's Creek, long drives on sunny days, and gardening.

She was preceded in death by her father John Robert Neely and her husband Steven Bracken Rich. She is survived by her mother Kathryn (Dunn) Neely, her two daughters: Amy Rich with Travis Bosserman of Springfield, MO, and Emily (Rich) Freeman with husband James Freeman and daughter Aria Evangeline of Saint Louis, MO; and her two sisters: Linda (Neely) Evans and daughter Sara Heptig of Olathe, KS, and Nancy (Neely) Zahn with her husband Larry Zahn and sons Matthew and Jacob of Springfield, MO, and sister in law Nancy (Rich) Gordon with husband James Gordon and sons Ryan, Scott, and Matt of Houston, TX.

Visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday, April 14, 2018.  Funeral Services will immediately follow the visitation at 2:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend William Marler officiating, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Burial will be in Turner's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 1415 S. Holland, Springfield, MO 65807.