Julie L. Lustfield

Julie was born on November 28, 1945, to Henry and Ethelyn (Erickson) DeKnikker in Volga, South Dakota, where she was raised and received her early education. After graduating high school in 1963, Julie continued her studies at South Dakota State University in Brookings.
In January 1965, Julie married Richard Wakeman in Brookings. In 1975, the family moved to Lake Mills, Iowa, where Julie worked at the Winnebago Co-Op Telephone Company. They returned to Brookings in 1993 and continued her career at Northwestern Energy. Julie and Richard later divorced.
On June 20, 1997, she was united in marriage to Larry Lustfield at GracePoint Wesleyan Methodist Church in Brookings. After her retirement in 2008, the couple moved to Tyler, Minnesota. She and Larry traveled extensively including cruises to the Bahamas and Alaska as well as many trips within the continental US.
Julie was a woman of deep faith and was actively involved in her church communities. In Tyler, she attended First English Lutheran Church and was active in WELCA. In 2020, she moved to Algona, Iowa, where she became a member of First Lutheran Church and worked for a time at Bear Care. She especially enjoyed playing cards, sewing, listening to country western music and sharing the produce from her garden.
Julie died Monday, October 6, 2025 at MercyOne in Mason City.
She is survived by her children, Kristine (Vern) Laubenthal of Wesley, lowa, Michaela Kathleen (Rosemary Kosmatka) Culhane of Superior, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Sarah Wakeman, Tyler (Chelsey) Laubenthal, and Brett Laubenthal; one great-grandchild expected in November of 2025; sister, Marta (Rod) Neuman of Pierre, South Dakota; step-children, Robert Lustfield, Steve Lustfield, and Monica Kinner; and many step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death are her husband, Larry; step-child, Valerie Lustfield; daughter-in-law, Natalie Wakeman; grandson, Stephen Wakeman; and siblings, Dennis Deknikker and Diane Gunderson.
A memorial service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at First Lutheran Church in Algona. The service was livestreamed on First Lutheran Church's Facebook Page. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial was held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at First Lutheran Cemetery in Volga, South Dakota. Following the burial, the family gathered in the basement of First Lutheran Church, located at 623 Kasan Ave, Volga, SD 57071.