YAKIMA - Julie Dee (Ramsey) Keller of Yakima, 53, loving mother and grandmother, died unexpectedly on June 20, 2013.
Julie was the first of four children to Donald and Joan Ramsey. She was born on March 24th 1960. She attended Whitney, Gilbert and Summitview grade schools and graduated from West Valley High School in 1978. She furthered her education at Central Washington University and later attended Yakima Beauty School where she received her cosmetology license. After obtaining her license she began her career at The Gazebo hair salon of Yakima. In 1983 she married Stan Keller. Julie and Stan moved to the Tri-Cities area in 1987. During their time there Julie became involved in fruit and produce sales, as a sales and marketing agent for Baker Produce of Kennewick. In 1997 Julie and her family returned to Yakima where she became co-owner of Salon Nuevo. On October of 1987 Julie gave birth to her first daughter Natalie Page followed by her second daughter Ashlyn Ann in 1992.
Julie loved to host family gatherings and had an exceptional flair of creativity. She had a knack for decorating to create that special ambiance. The UPS man knew her personally because of her love of shopping on QVC to find that just right item. She was a talented cook, seamstress, as well as a gifted artist. Her specialty was making homemade greeting cards for her loved ones using dried, pressed flowers from the yard as the covers. Her special signature line was “I will always be with you.” She had a love for arts and crafts and was happiest when she could spend time sharing her talents with her daughters and later with her grandsons. Julie loved to stay fit and spent her extra time at the gym; in 2004 she competed in the Washington State iron man body building contest where she took first place in her division.
She is survived by her husband Stan; daughters, Natalie and Ashlyn, two grandchildren, Hayden and Haize, her parents Donald and Joan Ramsey. Also surviving are her sisters Jill Coffano (Mark), Gail Buchanan (Jimmy), and brother Sherman Ramsey (Kim), all of Yakima, as well as numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Additionally Julie is survived by her father and mother in-law Elroy and Gwen Keller. She is preceded in death by her grandparents Ray and Mildred Ramsey, and Andrew and Martha Lydin.
She was a beautiful person who loved her family and friends. She was a stranger to no one and knew how to light up a room and the people in it. She loved her family deeply with all her heart. We know she is at peace with her Lord.