Julie Irene Florence

Julie was born on September 29, 1962, in Albany, Georgia, to James and Katherine Whitney. She grew up in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, and graduated from Southeast Polk (SEP) High School and Wartburg College. She resided in Columbia, Missouri, for most of her life. Her career as a probation/parole officer in Columbia, Missouri, was her passion, however, for the past 10 years, she was employed by MOHELA (Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority).

Julie was an independent and soft-spoken person who practiced her deep faith by showing compassion and understanding to others. Her slowness to anger and welcoming smile will be missed by so many. Julie's commitment to family was unwavering, and we all will miss her ability to truly listen to each of us individually.

Julie is survived by her twin sons, Ryan (Jacque) Florence (Pleasant Hill, MO), Taylor (Amy) Florence (Montgomery, TX), and daughter, Amber Florence (Columbia, MO), her parents, James and Kathy Whitney (Des Moines, IA), sister, Janet Whitney (Pleasant Hill, IA), four grandchildren, Kennedi, Dyson, Kohen and Kyle, and three nephews Zach, Ben (Ally) and Jake Atzen.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2600 East Euclid, Des Moines, IA, on October 11, 2024, at 11 am. The family will be available one hour before the service to greet family and friends. Julie will be buried in the Memorial Garden at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Columbia, MO where she was a member for almost 30 years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hope Ministries, PO Box 862, Des Moines, IA 50304-0862, designated for Hope Center for Women and Children in Des Moines, IA.