Julia Mae “Sis” Owen…July 24, 1932 – July 15, 2014

Julia Mae “Sis” Owen was born on July 24, 1932 in Las Animas, CO to Harry E. and Genevieve A. Sniff Owen.  Julia was married to Lee Ellison on February 28, 1951 and to this union 4 daughters were born:  Sandra, Cindy, Debra and Terry.  On January 21, 1976, Julia married Delbert Wilgus and moved to Missouri to manage a ranch.  While in Missouri, numerous friendships were made that would endure throughout her lifetime.

Sis was a very talented woman.  She could sew, making dresses and short sets for her daughters and fancy yoked western shirts.  She did leather hand tooling making belts, wallets, purses, roping tin covers and chaps.  Sis was a very hard working woman, holding a variety of jobs like waitress, truck driver, scale manager and rancher.  Sis always had a love of horses and ranching.  She bred and raised quarter horses most of her life.  Sis had a love and respect for all animals and passed this on to her daughters.

Julia Mae “Sis” Wilgus passed away on July 15, 2014 at the Holly Nursing Care Center at the age of 81.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Delbert Wilgus, 2 daughters: Terry Ellison of Lamar, CO and Cindy Clift of Amarillo, TX, 1 grandson Chase Clift of Amarillo, TX and 1 brother Clifford Owen of Lamar, CO.  She is survived by her 2 daughters Sandra Ellison of Lamar, CO and Debra Ellison of Eads, CO, 1 grandson Brian Lusher of Lamar, CO and 1 sister-in-law Peggy Owen of Lamar, CO.

Memorial services were held on Monday, July 21, 2014 at the Eads Cemetery with Pastor Ian Blacker officiating.  Mr. Tim Hogan provided the music, singing “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Amazing Grace”.  Memorial contributions can be made to:  LAST Animal Rescue; Box 390; Lamar, CO  81052 or Second Chance; Box 44; Lamar, CO  81052.

Friends and family can sign the guestbook and register online condolences at www.brownfuneraldirectors.com.  Funeral services for Julia Mae “Sis” Wilgus were entrusted to the care of the Brown Funeral Home in Eads.