Julie Udell

Juliann (Julie) Tomlinson Udell, age 85, died peacefully at her home in Yakima, Washington on Thursday, July 7th, 2022 at 11:00 am. Julie battled the ailments of old age after many surgeries and inherited restless leg syndrome that complicated her sleep. We are so grateful that her passing was quick and serene.

Julie was born on April 24th, 1937 in Wallace, Idaho to Marguerite Emily Johnson Tomlinson and Harold Roberts Tomlinson. She was their youngest and only girl. Julie had a beloved 11 year older brother, Harold (Hal) Roberts Tomlinson. While Julie was just an infant, Hal would take Julie for rides in the perambulator through the streets of the mining town of Wallace to show off his baby sister. One time, Hal took Julie without telling his parents and his mom and dad were relieved when Julie and Hal showed up at home hours later. Julie lived close to her Swedish immigrant grandparents, Jenny Margrata Lindgren and Henning (Henry) Wilhelm Johnson, and she especially had a fondness of her grandfather Henry, who was a building contractor in Wallace. During 1st grade, Julie’s father had a job transfer in Western Union and moved to the rainy coastal town of Bellingham, Washington. Bellingham was where Julie spent most of her adolescent years and had so many wonderful memories of living close to the water and enjoying the beautiful mountains of the Pacific Northwest. Julie also owned many different animals, such as a duck (Mr. Peepers), cats, dogs, rabbits, and she even owned a pigeon. That was the beginning of her lifelong love for animals.

When Julie was only 10 years of age, she had a dream about her grandfather, Henry, and she awoke that following morning to the news of the death of her adored grandpa Johnson. Shortly after his death, Jenny, Julie’s grandmother, moved into their home and into Julie’s room, where they shared the same bed. Julie spent many days playing cards, singing and enjoying her grandmother, and soon her grandmother became her best friend and confidant.

Julie was very proficient at playing the piano which she began playing at age seven. In high school, she was the pianist for her high school’s choir and also was the organist in her church. These early years began a lifelong love of music. In her later years, Julie would improvise piano pieces for many to enjoy.

Julie graduated from Bellingham High School and soon after attended Washington State College in Pullman, Washington and majored in Business Administration. Julie became a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. Her favorite part of being a member of a sorority was all the leftover desserts after dinner! Julie’s most memorable moments were spent on the varsity debate team at Washington State. On the weekends, she travelled to other schools for debate competitions. She often spoke about those times with great fondness. Her sorority sisters set her up on a blind date from the fraternity of Phi Delta Theta. The man from that blind date, R. Clayton Udell, became her best friend and eventually became her husband. Clayton proposed on Valentine’s Day by putting an engagement ring in a box of candy. When he gave Julie the box of chocolates, he insisted he wanted a piece of her chocolate and she reluctantly opened the box to find a diamond engagement ring!

Julie and Clayton were married in Bellingham, Washington in the First Congregational Church on July 26th, 1958. The newlyweds honeymooned at Harrison Hot Springs in British Columbia and enjoyed the beautiful surrounding mountains. For the first two years of their marriage, they lived in Naches, Washington on Clayton’s parents’ Hereford Cattle ranch in a small little home. Julie often would speak of those first two years as an adventure. For rest of their married life, Julie and Clayton lived on Naches Heights, in the town of Yakima, Washington, Clayton’s hometown, where Clayton was an orchardist and an apple broker with Hansen Fruit. During the early years on the farm, Julie ran the apple crew by driving the tractor and checking bruises on the apples. Also, Julie often worked diligently on the property by mowing, pulling weeds, watering, painting, remodeling and her favorite - wall papering. She considered herself the “maintenance crew” on the farm.

Julie and Clayton had four children, William (Billy) Ronald (June 2nd 1959-November 6th, 1961), Robert (Bob) Clayton (April 9th, 1961), Suzanne (Susie) (February 2nd, 1963) and Jennifer (Jenny) Leigh (November 12th, 1967). The Udell home was filled with love and constant movement of their children’s friends. During the hot summer days, water fights occurred often in the home and during the winter months, the home was ornately lit up with thousands of Christmas lights. The original home was located on a 20 acre apple orchard, which included a large barn, a detached garage, a small rental home, and an above ground cistern. Behind the home, Clayton removed some apple trees, built and painted a white wood fenced pasture, and filled it with a few horses for their daughters to ride. One day, while Julie was bending over to change the water in the pasture, one of the horses kicked her on the behind. Afterwards, she proudly showed the horseshoe print on her bottom. Later on, the pasture was filled with a few cattle, which were named Hamburger and Steak. Along with horses and cows, the Udells had many cats and dogs and at one time, chickens. It was an idyllic life living on the Udell farm.

Julie belonged to many service and educational clubs, such as PEO, Antiquarians, and Junior League. Julie enjoyed the game of bridge by playing in a monthly women’s bridge club and a duplicate bridge group in the evenings with Clayton. She also further educated herself by attending Spanish and sewing classes at YVC. Julie found peace and great strength by being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While participating in the Naches Ward, Julie held such callings as the ward organist, piano accompanist for the ward choir, Sunday School teacher, and Relief Society president. Later in life, she joined a quartet of string instruments and entertained people around the Yakima community.

When Julie and Clayton were empty nesters, Julie, along side her best friend, Margaret Mashburn, worked together in the estate sale business. Many days were spent cleaning out homes and finding treasures in people’s valuables. She enjoyed working with the community and becoming friends with returning clientele. Julie’s home began to be filled with art glass, paintings, and other precious items she found in those sales. Julie gained the experience of being a business owner and brought in some extra cash to spend.

On March 19th, 2008, Julie lost the love of her life, Clayton, to a stroke, while they were sleeping in the middle of the night. Clayton was only 71 years of age. Soon after, her daughter, Susie, moved in with Julie and kept her company during the long days without her husband. Just a few years before her passing, Julie sold the house and the farm and moved to Yakima with her daughter, Susie, who became her loving caretaker.

Julie is known for her infectious laugh, loving personality, and great faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All that knew Julie adored her. Her children’s friends loved her and enjoyed spending time in her home because Julie was just fun and a delight. Julie was also very wise and often gave advice to anyone who wanted direction in their lives. She gave service readily and became friends with everyone around her. She was known for making yummy sweet rolls that were formed in a circle and were given to many who needed comfort. Another food she enjoyed giving was cooked turkey to those who were suffering. Often she quoted scriptures from the Bible and lived by it. Her favorite scripture was “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24). Julie’s whole goal in life was to ensure that people were happy and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Oh how we miss her insightful knowledge of life and the scriptures.

Julie is survived by her three children, Robert (Traci) Udell of Yakima, Susie Ota of Yakima, and Jenny (Trevor) Fisher of Sammamish, WA. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Brittany (Brian) Clay, Natalie (Ethan) Rumbaugh, Paul Fisher, Rachel Fisher, Sarah Fisher, Hannah Udell, Shelby Udell, Kathryn Heilman, and Madelyn Heilman. She leaves behind three great-grandchildren, Henry, Eli, and Jack Clay. She also leaves behind nephews and nieces that love and adore her. Her family cherished every moment with her and will miss her deeply.

Julie is preceded in death by her husband, Clayton Udell, her son, Billy Udell, her parents, Marguerite and Harold Tomlinson, and her brother, Hal Tomlinson.

Memorial Services will be held at 4:00 pm on July 30th, 2022 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Englewood Chapel (4307 Englewood Ave, Yakima, WA 98908). To share memories of Julie, visit dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/yakima-wa/julie-udell-10837020.