Elva Jean Julian

Elva Jean Gitchel Julian passed peacefully in her sleep December 10, 2024 at Orchard Park Health Center. Jean Julian was born in Hastings, Nebraska, August 27, 1930.

Her parents Clinton and Irene Gitchel were employed with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (Civil Service) as teachers in Hisle, South Dakota. Her sister Wilma and brother Howard also were raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The Gitchels lived and taught agriculture and piano to the Oglala Sioux on the Pine Ridge Reservation from 1931 until 1943.

In 1943, the Gitchels then took assignment at the Flandreau Indian School, Flandreau, South Dakota. Jean graduated from Flandreau HS in 1948. She attended Colorado State College of Education in Greeley, Colorado (1935-1957) for the next two years.

She taught country school 1950-51, 13 miles south of Flandreau. Jean did not have money to return to Greeley but had two years of college Credit. She interviewed with the education board of farmers and lived with one family one quarter mile from the school.

She was united in marriage to Ralph (Bud) Julian on June 12, 1951 at the Flandreau Second Presbyterian Church. In 1951 Ralph was commissioned an Army Officer. They raised five sons, Michael, Randal, Mark, Gregory and David. Military assignments took them around the globe for 28 years. Jean was also of service volunteering as Director of Volunteers for Red Cross Europe.

Jean completed her Bachelor of Education and Masters for Speech Pathology and worked in public school system for several years

In 1996 Bud and Jean moved to Highlands Ranch, Colorado. In 2008 they moved into Wind Crest Retirement communty.

Jean is proceeded in death by her parents Clinton and Irene Gitchel, husband Ralph Julian

She is survived by her five sons, sister Wilma (Harry), brother Howard (Ruth), grand children and great grand children.