Julia Watts

A funeral service for Julia June Watts, age 37, of Vermillion, SD, was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Winner/Ideal Community Hall in Winner, SD, with Pastor Russ Grim officiating.

Music was provided by Todd Bearshield. Casket bearers were Alexander Songer, Jordan Songer, Raven Songer, Aaron Black Thunder, Blake Fredericks, and Sylvan Abdo. Honorary casket bearers were Julia’s nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.

Interment was at the Winner City Cemetery. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Julia June Songer was the youngest child of Melvin and Mavis (Peneaux) Songer, born November 3, 1988, in Winner, SD. Julia grew up with a heart that was always larger than her circumstances. A 2007 graduate of Gregory High School, she held a lifelong dream of attending Stewart’s College to become a hair stylist. Though her health challenges prevented her from pursuing that career, they never dimmed her vibrant spirit or her eye for beauty.

Julia was a three-time cancer survivor who met every diagnosis for nine and a half years, not with defeat, but with a quiet, stubborn courage that inspired everyone who knew her. Julia lived with an LVAD—a mechanical heartbeat that served as a testament to her immense will to stay in this world for those she loved. Her strength, courage, and resilience were truly second to none.

To know Julia was to witness a spirit as beautiful and rare as an orchid, her favorite flower. She was a deeply compassionate soul who never had an ill word to say about anyone, choosing instead to lead with kindness and an open heart. While she found peace in the quiet moments—cuddling with her puppies or watching her husband, Kelly, paint—her greatest pride was her family.

Julia raised her four children with fierce devotion and the support of her family until she married the love of her life, Kelly Watts. They were married on May 11, 2019, beginning a chapter of life when Kelly devoted himself entirely to Julia and her children. Nothing brought Julia more joy than watching Alexander, Alyssa, Peyton, and Kyson grow into the wonderful young adults they have become. Her love was a wide umbrella; her home was always open to her nieces and nephews, and she had an immense love for babies. A woman of legendary generosity, she never turned away a hungry child or a person in need.

Julia did not lose her battle; she simply decided that she had fought hard enough, and reached a point where she finally felt she could rest.

Julia passed away on March 7, 2026, at Sanford Vermillion Medical Center in Vermillion, SD. She leaves behind a legacy of endurance that will forever be the North Star for her husband, her children, and the many lives she touched with her selfless heart.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Kelly Watts; her four children— Alexander, Alyssa, Peyton, and Kyson Songer of Vermillion, SD; her father, Melvin Songer of Gregory, SD; and her sisters—Stacy (Foote) Mackey, Maria Songer, Tanya (Lance) LaPointe, Dawn (Josh) Songer-Abdo, and Brenda (Chris) Joiner. She is also remembered by a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Julia was preceded in death by her mother, Mavis Peneaux; brother, Chris Zephier; paternal grandparents, Leonard and Joanne Songer; maternal grandparents, Virgil and Elsie Peneaux; nephews, Baby Joshua Abdo Jr. and Baby Lenard Boyer; and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins who have gone before her.