Julia Sand

Julia A. Sand, 74, of Marcus, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Marcus. Father Timothy Pick will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at Marcus – Amherst Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will take place on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 4-7 p.m. at Holy Name Catholic Church. There will be a Rosary at 4 p.m. with a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to Mass on Wednesday.

Julia Anne Irwin was born on October 26, 1948, in Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of Cecil and Bonnie (Woodall) Irwin. She started school at Grand Meadow, rural Washta, Iowa and later graduated from Marcus High School. She always spoke fondly of growing up with all her Woodall cousins and going to see her grandparents at the Fielding Store. Following high school, Julia attended Nettleton Business School in Sioux City, Iowa. She took her first position with Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. She had fond memories of these early years and often reminisced about these fun times.

On June 21, 1969, Julia and Charles Simons were united in marriage in Marcus, Iowa. They made their home on a farm south of Marcus. Together they worked on the farm raising show cattle and formed a strong partnership working together as a team. Here they welcomed their four children. As her children grew older Julia began working for Moorman’s, Tom Door and served as the Grace Methodist Secretary prior to a 24-year career at Marcus Lumber Company. Her Marcus Lumber Company coworkers became like family, especially after Chuck passed away suddenly on May 19, 2002.

Julia married Charles Sand on July 9, 2006, in Marcus. They enjoyed traveling and attending their grandchildren’s events. Julia was all about relationships and always found a way to bring people together. She was known for her hospitality and made it look effortless. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church and deeply valued her faith. Julia was also a longtime member of the Marcus Fair Board, the Marcus Historical Society, and a shareholder and avid Green Bay Packers fan.

Grateful to have shared in her life are her husband, Charles Sand of Marcus, IA; her children, Stephanie (Denny) Spieler, Matthew Simons, Tony (Leah Dunn) Simons and Nicole (Andy) Busch all of Marcus, IA; grandchildren, Dylan Spieler, Jacob (Jacey) Spieler, Troy (Emily) Simons, Charlie Simons, Cody Simons, Kaylee Simons, Hayden Comstock, McKenna Comstock, Brody Comstock, Peyton Busch and Preston Busch; four great-grandchildren, Fallon, Veda and Landree Spieler and Stetson Simons; brothers, Wyman (Angie) Irwin of Tampa, FL and Martin (Kris) Irwin of Marcus, IA; Chuck’s daughters, Diane (Charley) Gipe of Clarkston, MI, Brenda (Randy Hurst) Sand of Tulsa, OK, Susan (Dan) Zenk of Greeley, CO and Rebecca (Scott) Strader of Windsor, CO and 14 grandchildren; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Donna Leavitt of Marcus, IA, Bev (David) Drefke of Cherokee, IA, Ric Collins of Marcus, IA, Willie Goth of Marcus, Meg (Dick) Hays of Tulsa, OK., John (Patty) Sand of Marcus, IA, Rita Sand of Surprise, AZ, Ken Ogren of Marcus, IA, Steve (Dian) Sand of Chandler, AZ, Ed Sand of Marcus, IA Barb (Doug) Dreckman of Marcus, IA and Bill (Stephanie) Sand of Adel, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews in both families.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles Simons; mothers-in-law and fathers-in-law, Martha and Donald Simons, and Edith and Merle Sand; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Wayne Simons, John Leavitt, Marvin and JoAnn Simons, Bonnie Collins, Patty Goth, Jim Sand, and Kathy Ogren.