Julita "Julie" Villero Abejar Nellenbach of Raytown, MO, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2023. Services will be held on Friday, December 15, at Holy Family Catholic Church. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. [ LIVE STREAM ]. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19.

Julie was born in Barugo, Leyte in the Philippines and was one of ten children. She met her husband, Michael Nellenbach, while he was stationed at Clark Air Force Base. They moved to the U.S. shortly after marrying, eventually settling down in Raytown, MO.

Julie found joy in caring for children throughout her life, starting with watching her nieces and nephews, to running her own in-home daycare, then eventually working at the Raytown Kindercare for almost 20 years, mainly in the infant/toddler room. Children were drawn to her warm and sweet disposition, though she was also a jokester and loved causing innocent mischief. In her free time, Julie loved to sing karaoke, hula dance and spend time with her friends. She enjoyed taking her daughter on many weekend adventures including hiking, rollerblading, fishing and playing tennis, to name a few. She was an excellent seamstress, making her own suits and dresses for her daughter's high school dances. She also worked in the Black & Veatch cafeteria at the deli station, where she gained the nickname "Mama' from her customers and coworkers. Julie touched so many lives and leaves behind a legacy full of love, kindness, forgiveness and loyalty. She will be deeply missed by all.

Julie was preceded in death by her parents Sinforiano Ariza Abejar and Felicisima Celmar Villero, sister Adoration Villero, father and mother-in-law Francis and Dorris Nellenbach and sister-in-law Jonelyn Cordeta Abejar.

She is survived by her husband, Michael Nellenbach, daughter, Grichzel Moberly (Drew), grandchildren Mayleigh and Hugh, siblings Irene Villero Abejar, Diana Arnold (Bill), Rosalina Villero Abejar,  Lorenza Villero Abejar, Isidore Villero Abejar, Sabino Villero Abejar (Belinda), Sinforiano Villero Abejar, Ana Villero Abejar (Guy Bertrand), and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.