Julie Ann (Christiansen) Tomechko

On the peaceful Sunday evening, the 28th of May, Julie Ann Christiansen Tomechko, 60, of Swan Valley, Idaho, passed away at home with her beloved husband at her side. We will hold Julie in our hearts until we can hold her again in heaven.

Julie was born on August 21, 1962, to Rosie Viola (Bird) and Wayne Starr Christiansen in Roosevelt, Utah. She was the first of seven children. Growing up along the Snake River in the small town of Irwin, Idaho, you could often find Julie fishing behind her home. She enjoyed the outdoors, horseback riding, tennis, and swimming at the Palisades Reservoir. Her first job was working for the Forest Service in Swan Valley as a teenager, fitting in with the outdoor lifestyle she so enjoyed.

She graduated in 1980 from Ririe High School and went on to Job Corp. She returned home and started working at the Palisades Dam. Julie had many friends, but a young man from Ohio, Dale Tomechko, was her favorite. He taught her how to bear hunt and took her out at night with the hounds to hunt racoons. She enjoyed her adventures with Dale as they continued to hunt together, and the two friends grew to love each other more and more each day.

Julie and Dale tied the knot in 1984 at the Chapel of the Valley. They had crafted a beautiful home in Swan Valley, Idaho, which they would face the challenges of life together. Moments before her 28th birthday, she gave birth to their amazing son, Paul, and their family was complete. Julie taught her son hard work, dedication, compassion, and much more by example as he grew into the wonderful young man he is today. She was so proud the day Paul graduated with top honors from ISU.

When the summers rolled around, Julie’s home would be filled will laughter and the pattering feet of three little girls. The best part of being a parent is being Grandma, she would say.

Julie was an avid game player, bingo, pinochle, and Sjoelbak. Many hours were spent with family around the table playing games and laughing. Pranks were given every day, not just on April Fool's Day, and Julie was the ringleader. If Julie could scare you, she would do it, from hiding around the corner and startling her sisters, to elaborate setups of automated Halloween decorations in her aunt’s car. When you screamed, she was thrilled. Her conniving plans worked.

Julie had many talents that bloomed over the years from her art books and ceramics to the calligraphy at the Legion Hall. She always strived for perfection, right down to the perfectly folded fitted sheet, and it showed in her housekeeping. Many wonderful days spent working alongside Tom and Ann Walsh and Sun Norrel. They were not just people that she worked with, but the work family Julie chose.

Julie is survived by her devoted husband, Dale Tomechko; her son, Paul (Nicole) Tomechko; her three precious granddaughters, Reeselyn, Annaliese, and Felicity; her mother, Rosie Christiansen; and her siblings, Margie (Lee) Snider, Leisa (Kenneth) Nelson, Sandra (Charles) Alford, Dwayne (Lisa) Christiansen, Kristal Christiansen (Chris Lamb); and lots of nieces and nephews.

Julie’s life was a blessing and her memory a treasure, she is loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.

Julie was preceded in death by her loving father, Wayne Christiansen, and her youngest brother, Andrew Jeff Christiansen.

A special thanks to all the nurses at the Idaho Falls Community Hospital and BRiO Home Health and Hospice for the care and compassion they provided Julie and her family.

A private family gathering will be held at a later date.

A GREAT LADY!