Julie Marguerite Essame

Julie Marguerite (Homme) Essame, 83, of Granite Falls, MN, and Green Valley, AZ, died peacefully at home on Friday, January 9, 2026, after a recent leukemia diagnosis. A Memorial Service will be held on July 11, 2026, at Hawk Creek Lutheran Church at 1:30 PM, 3 miles west of Sacred Heart. Burial will be at 4 PM at Hillcrest Cemetery, Granite Falls, MN

Julie Essame was born on December 23, 1942, in Granite Falls, MN, to Ole and Sylvia (Brevig) Homme. Julie was baptized and confirmed at Granite Falls Lutheran Church. She attended school in Granite Falls, graduating from high school in 1960. She played baritone horn in the concert band and sang soprano in the choir. Julie drove a tractor for her dad on the family farm in the summer. She furthered her education at the University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in interior design in 1964. Upon graduation, she was employed at Dayton’s Department Store. While working there, Julie met her future husband, John Essame, of Buckinghamshire, England. They were married on January 20, 1973, at First Lutheran Church in Aitkin, MN.

They continued their work at Dayton’s until moving to England for several years. During that time, Julie was employed by thirty US retail chains, plus Hudson’s Bay in Canada and Liberty House in Honolulu, then Harrods Department Store beckoned in London with responsibilities to buy all the merchandise for the fifth floor of this flagship store.

John had wanted to be a farmer ever since he was a child. He and Julie moved back to Minnesota to farm in 1980. They raised and bred thousands of sheep. When John took over the sheep program in Willmar Tech, Julie took over the lambing shed. With help from neighbors, Julie could allow John to coach sheep production in Central Asia and three times they both took Minnesota sheep producers to see British flocks.

After settling on the farm, Julie was employed at Ehler’s Department Store in Redwood Falls, MN, Running’s in Marshall, MN, where she was the only female buyer, and Impact Plastics in Maynard and Clara City, MN.

Julie was a stellar entertainer, often hosting visits from their English family, Homme picnics, and Brevig family reunions. She was a beloved aunt to Kris, Karen, and Erik Homme, Claire Essame, Julia Essame, and Ed Knight; grandniece, Ruby Essame-Knight. Extending the same love to Beth Anderson, Leah Benson, and Dan Anderson.

Julie was an avid gardener, enjoyed singing in choirs, helping in her AZ church community with estate sales, and traveling with family and friends. John and the family want to extend their sincere thanks to all those who have supported them in the past weeks. In particular, the wonderfully caring and professional team at Agape Hospice.

Julie was preceded in death by her parents, Syl and Ole Homme; her brother, Paul; nieces, Karen Homme Anderson, Kris Homme; sister-in-law, Jill Essame, and parents-in-law, Lorna and Sam Essame.

Julie is survived by her husband John, sister-in- law Ginger Homme, nephew Erik Homme, and foster niece ChunNa SonU, brother-in-law Oliver (Sylvie) Essame, nieces Claire Essame, Julia Essame (Ed Knight), grandniece Ruby Essame-Knight, and many close cousins.