Julia Gardner Welch passed away peacefully on Jan. 18, 2025, after a brief illness. Born Nov. 1, 1941, in Richfield, Sevier County, Utah, she was the eldest child of Genevieve Sylvester Gardner and Blythe Maynard Gardner and was blessed with three sisters – Joyce, Gloria, and Marianne.

Julie grew up surrounded by a large and loving extended family and many dear friends. She loved the 4-H Club excelling in cooking, sewing, and agriculture, including raising several grand champion steers. Her fondest memories included time spent on the family ranch and horseback riding with her father.

Julie was a natural student, was on the typing and shorthand teams, and spent her junior and senior years as a cheerleader. She had an early love of music and was a talented clarinetist in the high school and college bands. She was also an accomplished pianist accompanying others, teaching lessons, and playing regularly at church/social events; she cherished music throughout her life. She graduated from Richfield High School in 1960 and maintained lifelong friendships with many of her classmates. She started college at Utah State University but paused her education to accompany her family to Stuttgart, Germany where her parents were called as LDS mission presidents. She continued her studies at the University of Heidelberg for a short time.

In Germany, Julie met and married her first husband Dagobert Alfred Otto Klein. Together they returned to Utah and raised their two sons, initially living in Salt Lake City and then Bountiful and Centerville. Following their divorce, she married Glenn Archibald McKenzie who passed away in 2010. She later married Alfred Lee Welch, who predeceased her on Dec. 19, 2023.

Most of Julie’s married life was spent in Davis County, Utah where she had many treasured friendships and cherished memories. In 2017 she and Al moved to St. George, Utah for the agreeable climate and proximity to family. They loved the area, formed enduring friendships, and experienced an abundance of kindness and support and love from family, friends, and ward members, especially during and after Al’s illness and passing. 

Throughout her life, Julie was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held numerous ward/stake callings and found great joy in service. She maintained an unwavering testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and encouraged her family and others to do the same.

Julie is survived by her two sons, Dwain Blythe Klein (Alicia), and Derren Alfred Klein (Rebecca), eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, all of whom were each very precious to her and an immense source of joy and pride, and by her sister Marianne Gardner Sorensen (Kendall). She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Joyce Gardner Tibbetts and Gloria Gardner Crabtree Caudill. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. at the LDS Chapel located at 5338 Winchester Drive, St. George, Utah. A visitation will precede the service at 11 a.m. Following the funeral, a family gathering will be held at the home of Derren and Rebecca Klein. A brief interment service will be held this spring in Bountiful, Utah.

Family and friends are invited to share tributes online at www.SerenityStG.com. Arrangements and memorial tree planting under the direction of Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, (435) 986-9100.