Julia Ochoa, 92, of Oshkosh, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Tuesday morning, March 31, 2026, at the Garden County Health Services Hospital in Oshkosh.

Memorial services were held Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the Holechek-Bondegard Funeral Home in Oshkosh, with Pastor Maynard McCarthy officiating.

Cremation has taken place, and burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Broadwater.

Family and friends can leave condolences at www.bondegardfunerals. com. Services will be available to watch on the Holechek-Bondegard Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hbfunerals). Memorials in Julias’s name can be made to Garden County Health Services Foundation- Nursing Home.

Julia Ochoa was born at home, on February 16, 1934, in Huntley,Wyoming, to Margarito and Petra Ochoa. In 1940, her father bought 160 acres of farmland outside of Broadwater, Nebraska, where her parents lived until their death. In her early years on the farm, Julia attended a county school, southwest of Lisco, then later attended school in Broadwater, until her graduation in 1952.

Upon graduation, Julia moved in with her older brother Victor and worked at the Sioux Army Ordinance Depot in Sidney. She would later move to Gering, where she and her younger sister Pauline, along with a friend, would room and work together.

In 1956, Julia welcomed her firstborn son, Michael. Eventually, she moved back to her parents’ farm in Broadwater, where she raised and cared compassionately for Michael, who became inflicted with multiple sclerosis. In later years, Julia purchased property on the outskirts of town and called Oshkosh her home.

Here she was employed at Marshalltown, followed by Garden County Health Services, as it is currently known, until her retirement.

Throughout this time, she also served as a translator for Garden County Court, since she was fluent in both English and Spanish.

Julia will be remembered as a prolific gardener, with an enviable green thumb for producing vegetables of every kind as well as growing the most beautiful flower gardens.

Her iris garden was a must see. People would come from miles away, to view the variety that she so beautifully raised each year. As for her vegetable gardens, she was always willing to share her harvest with family and friends, and with strangers who became friends.

Having grown up on a farm, Julia not only cared for every kind of farm animal that there was but she truly loved each and every one of them.

Her joy could be seen, as she intentionally showed off her animals, by the name that she had given them, to everyone who visited.

Julia was a kind soul, with a caregiver’s spirit. She will always be remembered, as someone who loved Jesus, loved her family and loved her friends.You didn’t have to be related by blood, for her to consider you family. Julia will be dearly missed by many.

She is survived by her siblings, Pauline (Ed) Tafoya, Patsy Maestas, Joe (Aiko) Ochoa, and Inez Ochoa; son, Simon Perez, Sr.; grandsons Simon Jr. and Xavian Perez; granddaughter, Jenny Frichie and several grandkids; and many nieces and nephews and other extended family.

Julia was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Phyllis (Joe) Biberos, Amador (Nellie) Ochoa, Emiliano Ochoa,Victor (Inez) Ochoa, Steve (Linda) Ochoa, Jesse Ochoa, Robert Ochoa; nephew Michael, brother-in-law Henry Maestas; and other family members.