Julie Staigle

Julie Staigle, 55, of Fargo, ND, died unexpectedly of natural causes on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at her home in Fargo.

Julie Ann Larson was born on January 13, 1970, in Fargo, ND, to Charles and Jorene (Zink) Larson. The family later moved to Bottineau, ND, and then to Crookston, MN, where Julie attended school and graduated from Crookston Central High School in 1988. She attended MSUM before transferring to NDSU, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Science with a minor in Gerontology.

In the summer of 1989, at Old Settler’s Days in Center, ND, Wes Staigle caught her attention with a memorable “Hey Hot Pants, how ya doin?”—and the rest was history. They were married on September 19, 1992, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston, MN.

The couple made their home in Fargo, where they raised their sons, Cole and Nathan.

Julie was a passionate caretaker throughout her life. She began her career as Director of Childcare at Fraser, Ltd., then ran her own home daycare for eight years while her boys were young. She later served as Director of Senior Living at Eventide for 14 years before joining WEX as an account executive in 2020. She also loved her part-time work at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, where she cared for families in their times of need—a role that perfectly reflected her heart for others.

Julie loved her people and a full, lively house. She found joy in “gathering her humans” for her own kind of fellowship—hosting her annual holiday wine party, organizing girls’ weekends, and planning family trips. Her happy place was the lake, where she loved kayaking, boating, campfires, and relaxing with a good book on the beach.

She was a proud and devoted mom to her two sons, and joyfully welcomed two daughters into the family in 2019 and 2021. Her heart grew even fuller in 2023 when she became “Grandma” to Walker.

Julie was kind, compassionate, and loved deeply. She was also silly, fun-loving, and quick to laugh—always with a smile on her face and, occasionally, a potty mouth that even surprised herself. Though her passing leaves a hole in many lives, she leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and a life well-lived.

Julie is survived by her husband of 33 years, Wes; sons, Cole (Alex) Staigle of Sturgis, SD, and Nathan (Natalie) Staigle of West Fargo, ND; father, Charles Larson of Crookston, MN; siblings, Cory (Jeff) Nielsen, Nancy (Darcy Birkholz) Larson, Craig (Melinda) Larson (Christopher and Allison), and Janelle (Chris) Hetzler (Charlee); grandson, Walker; beloved four-legged companion, Bella Lou; and numerous Staigle nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Jorene Larson, and brother-in-law, Terry Hanson.

Celebration of Life: 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 27, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church, Fargo, with visitation one hour prior.

Prayer Service: 7:00 p.m. Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, with visitation one hour prior.

Services will be livestreamed on the funeral home website.