Juleen (Julee) Marie Cruz

Juleen (Julee) Marie Cruz, age 45, passed away on April 13, 2026. She was born on September 10, 1980, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Jeffrey Alan Rogers and Pamela Ann Petersen.

Julee married the love of her life, Gerad Duane Cruz, on October 20, 2000. Together they built a life filled with love, resilience, laughter, and cherished memories. Her greatest joy in life was her family, especially the time she spent with her children creating lasting memories and sharing in everyday moments.

Julee was known for her kind heart, creativity, and unwavering compassion for others. She found joy in cross-stitching, crochet, puzzles, playing games, and she especially loved Moose—all the moose, big and small, which always brought her happiness and smiles. She loved swimming, hiking, and camping, embracing the beauty of nature whenever she could. Julee also shared her strength and personal journey by authoring the book Fragile Handle with Care: Living and Loving with an Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) Diagnosis, offering encouragement and understanding to others facing similar challenges. She had a remarkable gift for helping others and bringing smiles to those around her.

Despite facing many health challenges throughout her life, Julee brought laughter and joy to all those who cared for her during her many stays in and out of the hospital. Her sense of humor, kindness, and strength left a lasting impression on the nurses, doctors, and caregivers who supported her along the way. Her family is deeply grateful for all the medical professionals who cared for Julee with compassion and dedication throughout her many health challenges.

One of Julee’s favorite things to say was, “You can laugh or cry, and I’m done crying,” a reflection of her humor, resilience, and outlook on life.

Julee is survived by her devoted husband, Gerad Cruz; her beloved children, Morgan Cruz and Logan Cruz; her father, Jeffrey Rogers; her mother and stepfather, Pamela and Ken Anderson; and her six siblings, Annie, Jenny, Jess, Alexis, Jaydon, and Jordan. She is also lovingly remembered by her special “adopted” daughters, Fei Fei Tang and Miriam Wolsey, along with many others whose lives she touched through her kindness, friendship, and care.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Amiee, whose memory she carried close to her heart.

Julee will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for her strength, compassion, creativity, humor, and the countless lives she touched. Her legacy of love, kindness, and resilience will continue to live on through her family and all who were fortunate enough to know her.

A funeral service will be held on May 2, 2026. A viewing will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., followed by the service at 2:00 p.m. at Memorial Redwood Mortuary, 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah 84123. Interment will follow the service.