Julianne Rost

Julianne “Julie” Rost, 66, of Livingston, Montana, passed away after a short but heroic fight against leukemia with her family by her side in her home on October 6th.

Julie was born in Superior, Wisconsin to Helen and Clarence “Sonny” Jones on December 28, 1958. Julie was one of four children and had many happy memories of her childhood vacations and time at the family cabin on Deer Lake with her siblings Sharon, David, and Lori. She graduated from Superior High School in 1976 and shortly thereafter earned her Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) credential. This would be the start of an incredible and dedicated nursing career that spanned 47 years.

On August 8, 1981, Julie married her first husband James “Jim” Rost and shortly after moved to Montana, which would forever be her home after that. They settled in the small town of Springdale and made many friends and colleagues over the years there and in the surrounding towns of Big Timber and Livingston. They share one daughter, Jamie, who was born May 11, 1983. Julie got to live the true western life of hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping and trapping; she was always up for an adventure, especially if it involved fishing or a road trip.

Julie attended Montana State University to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and graduated as a registered nurse with the highest honors in 1991. Exceptional nursing care would define Julie’s long career, and she particularly enjoyed working with geriatric patients. She always had a soft spot in her heart for residents who had no family or who had mental health disorders and would often go out of her way to buy them goodies or Christmas presents. She was an innovative and detail-oriented nurse who was deeply concerned about quality of care, which often led her to management roles. Julie’s career included nursing service at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota, Livingston Health and Rehab (formerly Convalescent Center), The Pioneer Medical Center in Big Timber, Livingston Home Health and Hospice, and Frontier Assisted Living and Memory Care. Julie was still a full-time nurse right up until she became ill.

Julie moved to Livingston in 2005, and this town would be her home for 20 more wonderful years. She loved the mountains, Chico Hot Springs, and spending time with her best friend Jennifer Steber and her dogs Moose and later Rufus. Julie’s hobbies included reading, cross stitching and crocheting, thrift store shopping, true crime documentaries, and flower gardening. But more than anything, Julie loved football and cheering on the Minnesota Vikings with a Diet Coke in her hand! Later in her life Julie enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren Tate and Jeremiah, and she could always be counted on to attend one of their games or show up with a favorite treat or toy. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Julie was preceded in death by her parents Sonny and Helen Jones, her nieces Kenzie and Kacie, her ex-husband Matthew Cocharo, and her beloved dog Moose. Julie is survived by her daughter Jamie (Justin) Arndt, her siblings Sharon (Byron) Nelson, David (Dawn) Jones, and Lori (Tom) Brooks, her grandchildren Tate and Jeremiah Arndt, her nieces and nephews Layla (Adam) Lang, Melanie Holland, Alyson (Dan) Volpe, Madysen Rosenberg, and Taylor Rosenberg, her beloved dog Rufus, and her ex-husband Jim Rost.

A celebration of life and internment ceremony at Mountain View Cemetery, Livingston, MT will be held June 26, 2026.

In lieu of gifts her family asks that donations be made to Stafford Animal Shelter in Livingston, Montana Stafford Animal Shelter – Adopt a Friend for Life or to Blood Cancer United Donate to Blood Cancer United in her honor.

To leave a condolence, please visit below. Franzen-Davis Funeral Home has been honored to care for Julianne and her family.