Julie M. Sands (Wheeler)

SIOUX CITY -- Julie M. Sands of Sioux City died June 9, 2011, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Jackson, Neb.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with the Rev. Craig A. Collison officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum. Visitation will be 4:30 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Berkemier Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be sent to www.christysmith.com .
Julie was born July 20, 1956, in Oelwein, Iowa, the daughter of Jerry E. and Jane M.(Corkery) Wheeler. She was raised in Sioux City and graduated from Heelan High School in 1975.
She married Brian W. Sands on Aug. 8, 1975 at Sacred Heart Church in Sioux City. They lived in McCook Lake, S.D., for one year before moving back to Sioux City. She was employed at Dura-Pak from 1975 to 1981. She then became not only a dedicated wife, but also a dedicated mother after the birth of her daughter. For a short time, she worked in maintenance at the MidAmerican Building as an employee of Klinger Construction Co., and most recently she spent her time primarily helping to raise her granddaughter, Rosalyn.
She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She also became an instructor of aerobic exercises at St. Luke's Health Center, the Four Seasons Health Club and other locations around Sioux City. She loved spending time outdoors and with nature, taking care of animals, and children. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, especially with her granddaughter. She also enjoyed adding special touches not only to the gifts she wrapped but with everything she touched.
She is survived by her husband, Brian W. Sands of Sioux City; her daughter, Larissa Sands and her fiance, Justin VanWyhe of Sioux City; her granddaughter, Rosalyn VanWyhe of Sioux City; her brother and his wife, Jeffrey and Sheila Wheeler of Sioux City; two sisters, Jolene Mozak of North Sioux City and Jessica Taylor and her husband, Jeff of Sioux City; and several nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Colton Taylor.
She is preceded in death by her parents; maternal grandparents, Nica and William Corkery; her paternal grandparents, Clarice and Alvin Wheeler; and her paternal grandfather, Roy Ensley.