Julia Sue was the third of four daughters born to Milo and Vera (Van Wyk) Kruseman. She was born Dec. 16, 1944, on the family farm south of Sully. Julia began her education at the Junction Country School. Julia graduated from Lynnville-Sully High School in Sully with the Class of 1963. She and Steve LeRoy Hay met on a blind date, where she fell in love at first sight. She knew she had met her Elvis. Julia and Steve were united in marriage on June 8, 1963. They were married for 57 years and had four sons: Mark Edward, Marty Joe, Michael Gene, and Marlo Dean. Raising their four sons and seeing them mature in the business was the most joyous accomplishment of her life. Julia had worked at De Long’s in Grinnell and was a cook at Lynnville-Sully High School for a short time, but she loved being a homemaker the most.
As the family business grew, so did Julia’s responsibilities. But she still found time to spoil her beloved grandchildren. She always had special goodies for them, spoiled them at Christmastime, and would have sleepovers while Grandpa Steve was gone tractor pulling.
Julia's life abruptly changed following the unexpected death of her husband, Steve, on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at the age of 76 years. On Sunday, May 2, 2021, Julia passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of 76 years. Mourning her loss are her four sons and their wives, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren: Mark (Kendra) Hay of Lynnville, Marshall (Kim) Hay and Madison (Trisha) Hay, Paisley, and Bentley; Marty (Lory) Hay, Dalton, and Jade of Sully, Michael (Janel) Hay, Malcolm, and Jakeira of Sully, and Marlo (Sarah) Hay, Morgan, Ryder, and Malia of Lynnville.
Julia leaves three sisters: Jenice Van Rees, Joyce MacKenzie, and Jean (Roger) Van Der Kamp, all of Sully; and a brother-in-law, Bill (Kay) Hay of Albert Lea, MN.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Steve; her parents; her brothers-in-law, Leonard Van Rees and Jaron Van Maanen; her parents-in-law, Rev. Morris and Margaret (Stevens) Hay; and the following sisters-in-law: June Hay, Patricia (Hay) and her husband, Wendall Huff, and Nadine (Hay) and her husband, Gene Cooley.
Funeral services were held Thursday, May 6, at 10 a.m. at Sully Community Church. Interment followed in Sully Cemetery. Memorial contributions are preferred for Hospice of Pella Comfort House.
