Juliann "Julie" M. Jegela

Julie Jegela, age 73, of Moorhead, MN, formerly of Milbank, SD, died on May 15, 2023, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, June 1, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary service starting at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Fr. Gary DeRouchey will celebrate the Mass, and a private family inurnment will take place at St. Charles Cemetery in rural Big Stone City, SD.

Julie's funeral service will be livestreamed, recorded, and viewable below her obituary.

Juliann Marie (Giessinger) Jegela was born on August 18, 1949, in Milbank, SD. She was the daughter of Georgetta (Van Hout) and Philip Giessinger. She grew up in the Milbank area and graduated from Milbank High School with the Class of 1967. After graduation, she moved to Minneapolis, MN, and resided there for a few years. While there, she met Walt Jegela. They later married and were blessed with two children: Sarah and Matt. The family moved around a bit before settling in Eureka, SD, for eleven years. She then moved to Aberdeen, SD, before eventually moving back to Milbank where she worked at State Auto as an insurance processor for several years until her retirement.

For the past eight years, Julie resided in Moorhead, MN, with her daughter, Sarah. She moved to St. William’s Care Center in Milbank, but only resided there for a week. She passed away with Sarah by her side.

Julie was part of a tightly knit family growing up, and family continued to be a priority throughout her life. She adored her grandchildren and loved playing with them. She was known to brave the playground equipment, which one time resulted in a broken wrist. She loved thrifting and going to rummage sales with her sister, Dawn. She was always ready to attend Bingo with Sarah. She and her mother, Georgetta, would attend Mass together every Sunday. After church, they attended church functions or played cards at Georgetta’s apartment. She enjoyed movies, shopping, and traveling. San Diego was one of her favorite spots, as she loved the calming ocean water and the beach. She loved going out for boat rides with Matt. She wasn’t great at catching fish, but she loved to eat the ones he would catch. Julie liked walking, swimming, and staying fit; she continued to do so even when she was battling illness.

Julie was most recently a member at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moorhead.

Julie is survived by her daughter, Sarah Jegela of Moorhead, MN; son, Matthew Jegela of Moorhead, MN; siblings: Linda Dornbusch of Milbank, SD; Robert Giessinger of Milbank, SD; Loretta Chamley of Milbank, SD; Joyce Johnson of Milbank, SD; Philip Giessinger of Sioux Falls, SD; Teresa (Dick) Boekermann of Missouri; Dawn Schultz of Milbank, SD; Dennis Giessinger of Milbank, SD; Amy (Bert) Loehrer of Milbank, SD; three grandchildren: George Jegela, Giana Jegela, and Gracelyn Jegela; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers-in-law: Richard Schultz and Craig Johnson.