- Date Of Birth: September 9, 1935
- Date Of Death: January 27, 2022
- State: New Mexico
Julie Lynne Weaver, 86, passed away on Thursday, January 27, 2022.
She has crossed over and now is dancing among the stars with many beloved partners and group leaders – among them Roland Dupree, Mike Haley and Rudy Ulibarri.
Julie is survived by the love of her life Mike Weltz; brothers: John Olund, Larry Olund (Anne Olund); sister Linda Meyer; daughter Gurudarshan Khalsa (formerly Wendi); son Mark Weaver (Peggy Hessing); grandchildren: Olan Jackson-Weaver (Jessica Friedman Schaefer), Mark Jackson-Weaver (Tilly Badham), Van Jackson-Weaver, Savannah Lynne Holloway (Enoch Holloway), Ruby Lu Elizondo (Casey Elizondo).
I was born to parents Stephen (Steve) Olund and Ruby (Foell) Olund on September 9, 1935, the second child after Larry and christened Julie Lynne in the small farming community of Ceylon, Minnesota. In 1942, my parents and three of us (younger brother John came along16 months after her) travelled to New Mexico to our sunny new home in the desert, leaving beautiful, but cold, Minnesota far behind. I graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1953 and married Harry Weaver in 1955 after meeting him in the Methodist Church youth group. My children were born in June, 1957 and September, 1958. After Harry graduated from the University of New Mexico as an electrical engineer, we moved to Seattle, Washington in 1960. Three years later we moved to Huntsville, Alabama where we lived for about five years. We then moved to East Northport and Huntington Station on Long Island, New York when Harry
switched employment to Grumman Aerospace. We lived on Long Island for about three years before the kids and I moved back to my beloved New Mexico in 1971.
My dreams of becoming a professional dancer were realized in unique ways. I was lucky enough to be asked to join several different performing dance groups over a period of almost 40 years. First came Wagon Wheels Square Dance group for a few years followed by Rudy’s International Folk Dancers which I participated in for about 18 years. Roland Dupree was a retired Hollywood choreographer who had recently relocated to sunny New Mexico with every intention of retiring. Boredom caught up with him, which prompted him to volunteer to teach a tap class at Meadowlark Senior Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. His reputation quickly drew several women who were eager to learn from a “pro”. He developed this group into The Sophisticated Ladies (and later Gent), a pretty snazzy performing group where he choreographed a variety of dances – all with sophisticated costumes. What a joy that was! After dancing with this group for about ten years, Roland decided to finally retire for good. I then briefly danced with the Silver Stars. Along with participation in these groups, I also danced with various social groups. Dancing was my first love – I always bubbled over with such joy and happiness when dancing.
My children blessed me with five remarkable grandchildren. Mark’s three boys came first followed by Wendi’s two girls several years later. These highly intelligent children were a wonderful gift to our family. I have truly been blessed in my life with my two children and five grandchildren. A long time goal was reached when I graduated from UNM in 2012. I had begun that journey in 1974 with a determination that someday I would earn a degree.
My sunset years were blessed beyond measure by the love of my life, Mike Weltz. No finer man was created – he was kind, sweet, honest, sincere and a gentleman. Never did I dream such a man existed who would enrich my life beyond measure when I was in my 80s. Mike was truly one of the greatest blessings of my life.
Julie wished to encourage people to wear colorful clothing to her Memorial.
American Cancer Society
Roadrunner Food Bank
American Lung Association
St Jude Hospital
Salvation Army
American Red Cross
