Helen Julia “Julie” Stephenson of Loveland, Ohio, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2026, at the age of 96, surrounded by the love of family. She was the loving wife of the late Jim Stephenson.

Julie was born Helen Julia Gunderson on November 27, 1929, to Eva and Irvin Gunderson in Sandwich, Illinois. She was the youngest of five girls. Julie was energetic, fun loving and a hard worker. She worked at a young age cutting asparagus, detasseling corn, and delivering newspapers. Growing up in farm country Julie developed a love for animals, especially horses and kittens that stayed with her all her life. She was also a cheerleader and graduated from Leland High School.

After graduation, Julie traveled on her own to Chicago. She walked into Marshall Field’s looking for a clerk’s job and instead they made her a model, which began a successful modeling career. Julie married her childhood sweetheart, Arthur J. Miller during that time. She raised six children and continued modeling for several years. One of the highlights being a billboard size Kodak photo at Rockefeller Center in New York. Another being pictured in the World Book Encyclopedia, 1963, Volume P (Photography), page 373.

In addition to modeling, Julie learned to scuba dive and worked at a scuba shop taking folks on diving trips and tours. She also worked for Western Southern Life Insurance Company and as an admitting clerk at Bethesda North Hospital.

Throughout her life, Julie demonstrated a caring compassionate touch with all she encountered. From family, church and friends, to the Women’s support groups she counseled, she was dedicated to sharing her Christian faith.

Later in life, she met and married Jim Stephenson. They devoted their home and life to supporting mission work. Together they participated in various mission trips around the world. These included travel to Mexico, Botswana, and Thailand to help build orphanages and churches. They enjoyed opening their home to visiting missionaries and church gatherings.

Julie’s hospitality drew in family from around the country. She especially enjoyed hosting Thanksgiving gatherings where she would create delicious meals for family and friends. There was always room for one more.

Her words of wisdom, “Be Thankful,” “Love one Another,” “Look to Jesus,” and “Take one day at a time, maybe one step at a time.”

In addition to her parents, Irvin and Eva Gunderson, Julie was preceded in death by her sisters Hazel Klein, Francis Nelson, Ruth Marshall, and Edna Burch.

Julie is survived by Cherry (David) Moser, Bradley Miller, Jack (Angie) Miller, Scott (Debi) Miller, Gary (Kandys) Miller, and Daniel (Sue) Miller. Caring Grandmother of Ben Moser, Emily Moser, John Moser, Christopher Miller, Julianna Miller-O’Muircheartaigh, Nathan Miller, Ryan Miller, Quintin Miller, Angie Hall, Mandy Murphy, Scott Miller Jr., Amy Purdin, Terah Maerki, and many spouses. Beloved Great Grandmother to thirty-six, and Great-Great Grandmother to four children with two more on the way.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 13 at 11:00 a.m. at Elevation Community Church, 107 Eagle-Martin Drive, Blanchester, Ohio 45107. There will be a reception immediately following the service where friends and family are invited to share memories of Julie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grace Hospice of Cincinnati, Turning Point Ministries, or Care Net Pregnancy.