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Julia Lynn Shepherd (Erickson)

Julia Lynn Shepherd (Erickson), 65, of Manhattan, Kansas, passed away peacefully on
Saturday, January 10, 2026. Born on April 30, 1960, in Oberlin, Kansas, Julia was the
daughter of Eugene and Lorraine (Gaider) Shepherd and the sixth of eight siblings. In
keeping with her lifelong spirit of generosity, Julia chose to donate parts of her body,
passing forward the blessing of life and healing that was gifted to her.
A woman of determination and lifelong learning, Julia attended school in Bennington
and Concordia before graduating from Concordia High School. Her vibrant spirit was
evident early on as a cheerleader and a member of a state-championship volleyball
team. She went on to earn her barber's license and later achieved a bachelor's degree
from Manhattan Christian College. After years of service as a barber, Julia transitioned
into real estate, eventually opening her own business, At Home Real Estate, after
working alongside her sister, Karen & Duane Lewis at Landmark Realty.
Julia married David Erickson on January 21, 1978. Together, they raised six children:
Evan, Jordan, Braden, Tiffany, Calen, and Aaron. Her family was her greatest pride.
Her faith was the cornerstone of her life. A former member of the Concordia Wesleyan
Church and later a member of the Women of Faith, Julia shared her heart through
numerous public speaking engagements. She found great joy in the arts, lending her
voice to the church choir and nurturing a lifelong love for music, dance and the arts.
Julia was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Lorraine; her brother, Kenny
Shepherd; and her sister, Laurie Wright.
She is survived by her six children: Evan Erickson and Braden Erickson of Kansas City,
MO; Jordan (Esther) Erickson, Tiffany Erickson, and Aaron Erickson of Manhattan, KS;
and Calen (Meagan) Erickson of Overland Park, KS. She also leaves behind her three
cherished grandchildren, Nora, Mina, and Marcus Erickson, and five siblings: Pat
Carrico, Paula Riggs, Ron Shepherd, Karen Lewis, and Greg Shepherd.
A service of Grateful Gathering will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026,
at the Concordia Wesleyan Church in Concordia, KS, with Pastor Bob Burns and
Melanie Loyd (Miller) officiating. A burial will precede the service at 9:30 a.m.for
immediate family and close friends at Oakland Union Cemetery in Miltonvale, KS.
In lieu of flowers, the family strongly suggests memorial contributions be made at her
Ever Loved memorial page. https://everloved.com/life-of/julia-erickson/

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA