Julia Carol Shriver (nee Rinehart)

~ Julia Carol Shriver ~

Julia Carol Shriver (known as Julie to family and friends), a cherished daughter, sister, mother and grandmother, peacefully passed with family by her side on December 18, 2025, in Avondale, Arizona, after a prolonged illness.

Julie was born Julia Carol Rinehart on April 10, 1945, in Rockford, Illinois. As a young girl, she relocated with her family to Minnesota, where she attended McGrath School for grades K-12, and lived on a dairy farm. Julie was the eldest of five, and was joined in her family by siblings Tom, Linda, Sharon and Steve. Lutheran faith was an important part of Julie’s life, and after graduation she furthered her education at a college in Wichita, Kansas, training to become a church secretary so she could serve the faith community.

After some time in the midwest, Julie moved to California, where she met the love of her life, Thomas Shriver. Together they built a family and created warm homes near various bases as Tom served 20 years with the U.S. Navy and Julie managed the homefront. 

Julie continued to serve her community and family, and held various roles such a court clerk, and copy clerk and supervisor at a local elementary school, all while raising their children.

Julie and Tom were blessed with three children over the years– James, Jason (Melissa), and Jennifer Rodebaugh (William). Julie and Tom made their homestead in northern California, on a ranch where Julie raised birds (especially peacocks, which she loved), and dogs and horses filled the ranch with happiness and purpose. They enjoyed the ranch until Tom’s passing in 2015, at which point Julie transitioned to Arizona to be closer to her daughter.

Many things brought her joy: the color lavender, a delicious ice cream treat from Dairy Queen, watching cooking shows of any kind, and cheering on her favorite basketball team, the LA Lakers.But the thing that brought Julie the most joy in her later years was undoubtedly her grandchildren– Amelia, Lillian, Jackson, and Elliott. Her days were brightened by visits, pictures, messages, or phone calls with her grandchildren, and she wanted nothing more than to hear about their latest doings.

Julie leaves fond memories etched in the hearts of those family and friends left behind. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, as well as her father Bill Fenske, mother Ruth Fenske, and sister Linda Rathbun, all of whom await her in eternal rest.

Final inurnment will be at a later date in Igo, California, at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery where she will finally be reunited in eternal peace with Tom.