Julie A. Brown

Julie Ann Brown, 54, of Sioux City, passed away Sunday, June 18, 2017, at her home.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Born on July 1, 1962, and a lifelong resident of Sioux City, Julie had a life plagued with medical issues since childhood. Though she experienced health problems consistently through her life, those challenges never robbed Julie of her positive, fun-loving personality, or her warm and caring heart. Her sweet, but sassy disposition drew people to her in every room she entered, and her loving and compassionate soul made her friendships that lasted a lifetime.
Julie graduated from East High School in 1980. She then stayed in Sioux City because of her appreciation for her hometown, and the family and friends that were close by.
Her love for those in her life was only matched by her desire to help people. She worked many jobs during her life, most of which involved taking care of others. She worked for Home Instead Senior Care, Northern Hills Assisted Living, then most recently at Story Time Preschool and Child Care. From the adults she supported and the children she looked after, to the colleagues she worked with, Julie radiated positive energy, and made people laugh and feel loved wherever she went.
When she wasn't beating her son in cribbage, Julie enjoyed putting her superb cooking skills on display, and spending time outdoors. She loved fishing, and always caught more fish than whomever she was with, even though she hated touching the worms and fish. Julie treasured sitting outside on her deck in the summer evenings while enjoying a cold beer with loved ones, but probably searched for a blanket or jacket to keep warm.
A life taken too soon, Julie now gets to share her famous potato salad with the good Lord and will finally experience what it's like to be truly, completely healthy. She lost her short and intense battle with lung cancer, but will always be remembered as a fighter, and the most spectacular example of courage and strength.
She is lovingly remembered by her mother, Diane Mackey; son, Tyler Brown; boyfriend, Mike Stevenson; stepchildren, David (Yesenia) Stevenson, and Krystal Stevenson; three grandchildren, Dominick and Layla Stevenson and Karlee Sturges; former husband, Jeff Brown; brothers, Michael, Norman Jr., and Daniel Mackey of Sioux City; sister, Lori (Randy) Eilers of Ankeny, Iowa; father, Larry (Val) Kunkel, and siblings, Paul and Mathew Kunkel, and Tonya Bolam of Michigan; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Julie was preceded in death by her father, Norman Mackey; and brother, Chad Mackey.