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Julia Renee Preston was born April 24, 1957 to Jerry and Josie (Barenberg) Preston in Benkelman Ne. Her early years were spent following her father’s helicopter squadron around the country. In addition to Nebraska she lived in multiple states including Texas, Nevada, and Illinois and attended dozens of schools with her Air Force family until her father’s retirement in 1973. At that time, she returned with her parents and two younger brothers to her hometown of Benkelman. It was at this time that she met Chester Reiman. The two were married November 9, 1974. In 1975 she graduated Benkelman High School. In September of that year Chet and Julie welcomed their first child, Heather. They quickly expanded their family to include a son, Matt, in 1977 and then another daughter, Nikki, in 1978. While Julie and Chet did not remain married to each other long they were lifelong friends and dedicated to the family they created together. They spent many holidays and special occasions together including a family vacation to Florida in 2005 to watch Nikki graduate from college and to take their kids and grandkids to Sea World and Disney. In 1984 Julie and her three children moved with her parents to Florida where her brother Jeff had made his home. In September of that year she met the love of her life, Ray Belcher. The two were married on February 14, 1987. While in Florida she was able to express her love of music through Cantoring for San Jose Catholic Church. Cancer struck Ray a few years later and on March 9, 1993 he died. It was in caring for Ray during his illness that Julie found her calling in life as a nurse. In 1997 Julie moved back to Nebraska and in 1998 she was blessed with the birth of her fourth child, Deanna Jo. Injury and Fibromyalgia left her unable to work earlier than she wanted but she continued to use her gifts as best as she could to help others specifically her family during her mother’s health problems before her passing in 2017. She was preceded in death by her mother, Josie Preston, her husband Ray Belcher, and her infant grandson Jerry Ramsey. Survivors include her father, Jerry Preston; children Heather Ramsey, Matthew Reiman, Nikki (Tim) Farren, and Deanna (Dustin Dittler) Preston; brothers Jeffery (Carolyn Graham) and Jason (Cindy) Preston; grandchildren Meeka (Will) Howsden, Ali Jo Reiman, Jessica Ramsey, Victoria Ramsey, Cassandra Ramsey, Jacobah Reiman, Christopher Farren, Kalilah Reiman, Atreyah Reiman, Kaitlyn Farren, Breanne Farren, Lorenzo Dittler, Zayden Dittler; great-grandchildren Freyja Jo Fenton, Harrison Howsden and Preston James who is expected to join the family in May; many nieces, nephews and cousins. A rosary will be recited for Julie at 10:00 A.M. (MT) on Saturday morning, March 9th, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Benkelman. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 A.M. (MT) on Saturday morning, March 9th, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Father Matthew Eickhoff celebrating. Interment will follow services in the Benkelman Cemetery. No visitation. A memorial has been established in Julie’s name. Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com BENKELMAN MEMORIAL CHAPEL IS ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS

Tributes

Julie Renee Preston

April 24, 1957 - March 4, 2019