Obituary of Juli Elaine (Belcher) Wilcox

Juli Elaine (Belcher) Wilcox, age 70, of Yankton, SD took the final bow in her life story on July 16, 2016 at the Sister James Nursing Home, following a tenacious struggle with health issues after a lung transplant in 2009. She was surrounded by friends and her nephew, David, whom she adored. Memorial services will be 2:00 PM, Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at the Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Yankton, SD. Visitations will be one hour prior to the service at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD. Private burial of her cremated remains will be in the Yankton Cemetery. On-line condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelkfuneralhome.com. Juli’s friend, Sister Michaeleen Muhovich of Sacred Heart Monastery, will officiate the celebration of life. Honorary pallbearers are Stacy Boyle, Redlands, CA; Laurie Brown, Vermillion, SD; Kathryn Cihak, Yankton, SD; Chuck Evander, Yankton, SD; Linda Haar, Springfield, SD; Barbara and Michael Sabella, New Jersey; Dave and Ellen Welch, Sioux Falls, SD; Laura Williams, Tuthill, SD. Juli, affectionately called “Jules” by a few close friends, was born at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida to Samuel H. and Edna (Frericks) Belcher on November 23, 1945, and was baptized in the Lutheran Church. Juli’s family lived all over the country due to her father’s various military postings. During her father’s work on the missile silos in western South Dakota, Juli attended and graduated from Sturgis High School in 1963. College years were spent at South Dakota State University where she met her future husband, James E. Wilcox. After obtaining a degree in Speech and Theatre in 1967 from SDSU, Juli went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology in 1968 from the University of South Dakota. She began her professional career as a Speech and Language Pathologist at Educational Service Unit One in Wakefield, NE. Hartington Schools then hired her as their Special Education director where she formulated the plan for that program and continued to direct it until her retirement in 2006. Among her many achievements was the development of birth to 5 screening, assessment and therapy program. During her tenure at Hartington, she was active with a multitude of local and state educational and special services organizations, including The American Speech - Language and Hearing Association, and the Hartington Education Association. One of the great joys in her life was seeing her students grow into productive young adults. Jim and Juli married on December 18, 1965 in Sioux Falls, SD, and moved to Yankton in 1967 when Jim joined the Theatre staff at Yankton College. The two quickly became integral to all aspects of Lewis and Clark Playhouse, now known as Lewis and Clark Theatre Company. A scenic designer and stage director for decades, Jim was the Managing Director of the theatre at the time of his death in 1992. Juli’s exquisite attention to detail made her an exceptional designer of posters, sets, costumes, and props. She worked in some capacity on over 80 productions, and appeared on stage in over 20, including her rollicking, most memorable performance as Sister Mary Regina, the “beloved Mother Superior of the Little Sisters of Hoboken” in Nunsense I and II, the first of which was directed by her husband. That production re-opened the State Theatre building after years of being un-occupied. Today, it houses the Lewis and Clark Theatre Company in downtown Yankton. In 1987, Juli made her directorial debut with Talley’s Folly, a two-person show that took first place in the South Dakota American Association of Community Theatre Festival, and in 1997 took second place at the 7-state regional competition in Missouri. Many in the audience said her production matched qualities seen on professional stages in major cities. She also organized and hosted the state AACT-FEST when in was held in Yankton. In retirement, Juli followed her passion for wildlife and the outdoors by honing her skills as a wildlife photographer, giving emphasis to the prairie chickens found in South Dakota. Her experiences with that led to a published feature in South Dakota Magazine, and a continuing relationship with that publication. Her keen eye for detail and color was embraced by contemporaries in the national and international photography arena, where she worked as a photo editor for individuals as well as for web sites. She also wrote several book reviews; edited several books and articles; and worked steadily with professional photographers at NatureScapes.net, for which she was the Executive Editor, and the North American Nature Photography Association, including hosting the national conference in western South Dakota. Highlights of her photography excursions included trips to Alaska, Wyoming, many national parks, and China. Juli headed the local bird count for many years; was active in Yankton Area Arts and in a local book club; was on the steering committee of the Lucy Weed String Competition; served on the LCTC Board of Directors; was a co-founder and head of the Supporting Cast, which raised funds for LCP; was President of the South Dakota Theatre Association; and was one of the leading authorities on American Colonial painter Robert Feke. A born teacher and director, Juli was a mixture of particular taste and artistic expression; problem-solver and philosopher. Her humor could turn to silliness; her raised eyebrow could bring down the house; her intensity could make an audience hold their collective breath. In good health, she enjoyed travelling the world, seeking knowledge and experiences, great food, and forging lasting friendships with people from all walks of life. While she was a perfectionist with her own work, she joyously celebrated the talents of others and encouraged many to find the best in themselves. As a photographer, she strove to “find the light” which mirrored her outlook on life, even as she courageously faced the end of it. Juli’s final moments came as described by M’Lynn, a character she portrayed in Steel Magnolias, who said of her daughter’s passing, “There was no noise, no tremble…just peace.” Family members preceding Juli in death include her husband, James E. Wilcox; parents, Sam and Edna Belcher; in-laws, Ora E. and Annabelle Wilcox; brothers, Larry R. and Harold S. Belcher; and great-nephew, Thomas Belcher. Juli is survived by nephews David (Barbara) Belcher and Larry (Lisa) Belcher, and their children: Alexis, Holly, Hannah, and Braedan; along with a host of colleagues, friends, “chosen family,” including Evan Gilbertson, who doted upon Juli, and she on him; and her beloved pets, Oliver and Zi. Memorial donations may be made to Heartland Humane Society, Yankton, SD; and to The Gift of Life Transplant House, Rochester, MN. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the caring hands of the Avera medical community who wrapped Juli in their warm care, especially in the last 6 weeks; and to all who offered prayers, visits, and comforting messages during this difficult time.