Julie Muffat

Julie Zoe Muffat (nee Hunter), our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, age 70, of Cottage Grove, MN, formerly of Rapid City, SD passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2022.

She was a graduate of Rapid City Central High School and received her bachelor’s from Black Hills State College in 1973.

Julie never met a stranger.  If you sat next to her on an airplane or even stood behind her in line, you would have felt compelled to share details of your life with her.  She always seemed to be announcing, “I made a new friend today.”  She was warm and engaging, and she genuinely connected with people, both young and old.

While she was our loving wife, mother, and grandmother “Ama”, Julie also took on numerous teaching and volunteer roles in both South Dakota and Minnesota over the years.  In her spare time, Julie delighted in spending time with friends, crafting, reading voraciously, and caring for her gardens and backyard bird habitat.  Julie loved to travel, especially if she was on or near water.  A lifeguard in her youth, she took great pleasure in snorkeling in the ocean and swimming with her grandchildren at any opportunity.

Even as the devastating effects of scleroderma took away much of her mobility and her very breath, Julie continued to connect with people.  She befriended her doctors and nurses, stayed in touch with her friends near and far, and spent lots of quality time with family making treasured memories.  We miss her so much, but we take comfort in her love and the knowledge that her playful spirit that loomed so large in our lives is now soaring.

Preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Nora Hunter.

Survived by her devoted husband of 49 years, Jeffry “Jeff”; daughters, Tamara "Tami" (Matthew) Steele, and Danielle “Dani” (James) Voigt; grandchildren, Max and Zane Steele, Lorelai, Harrison, and Georgia Voigt; brother, Philip Hunter; sisters, Joyce Forrette and Marlee Martin; many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

A Celebration of Life 11:30 AM with visitation beginning at 10:30 AM, Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016. Memorials preferred to the National Scleroderma Foundation or your local library.

LIVESTREAM INFORMATION:  For those who would like to participate in Julie's service via livestream, you can watch the service on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 11:30 AM.  It can be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of this page, and "CLICK PLAY" to begin.  Please leave a message of support on our Tribute Wall to let the family know you were able to watch the service.  If you are having troubles with the Livestream, the service will be available to watch later in the day.