Julia Osipenko of Oklahoma City, OK was born January 1, 1927, departing this life on August 15, 2023 at the age of 96. Born in Belenkaya, Ukraine to Feodora and Sergei Oleynik, Julia was the eldest of four children. Julia survived the occupation of the Ukraine by Germany and was taken by the Germans from her family and shipped by rail to the forced labor camps of Frankfurt at age 15. Following the war, Julia married Peter Osipenko, a handsome young man she met in the camps, and to whom she was married 64 years. Without a dime and no knowledge of the English language, Peter, Julia and their young son Valentin (Wally) left post-war Germany for the United States in search of a better life and freedom from persecution. They entered through Ellis Island, and with the help of an Orthodox priest, found a sponsor for whom they worked until their faith drew them to Minneapolis, MN. There they made their home, found their spiritual home in St. Mary's Orthodox Church, and made many friends through the large Slavic community. For the next 55 years, they worked tirelessly to provide a comfortable life for their family. They taught their children by example a tireless work ethic, honesty, integrity, and the importance of faith, family and friends. Julia tended to her children when they were young, and later started working sewing garments, advancing to working for a furrier altering furs, and finally for Honeywell as a supervisor. Julia was the consummate self-taught cook, loved her grandchildren fiercely, and loved feeding them her delicious cabbage rolls, pirogi, soups (including Borscht), breads and desserts until they were ready to pop! A trip to McDonalds for a "squirrel" ice cream cone was always a special treat! Many of the ingredients in her cooking came from her very large, immaculately kept garden. A skilled seamstress, Julia sewed, embroidered, and knit beautiful things for her family and friends. She served her church as a long-time choir member, and worked with the "kitchen ladies". Later in life, Julia and Peter enjoyed traveling to the Holy Land, Hawaii, the Dominican Republic, Germany, and to the Ukraine to see family and friends. Julia was preceded in death by her beloved husband Peter, her son Valentin, grandson Mark, parents, siblings and their spouses Boris and Olga, Maya, and Victor and , and many dear cousins. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Irene and Bobby Massad of Oklahoma City, grandchildren Paul (Jessie) Osipenko, Tina (Jerrod) Schiltz, Christoper Osipenko, Joseph Osipenko, Michael Mlekoday, Tamara Mlekoday, Joseph (Genevieve Lang) Mlekoday, and numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Trisagion service Thursday, August 17 at 7:00 pm, at Vondel Smith Mortuary North, 13125 North MacArthur Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73142.

Funeral service Wednesday, August 23 at 11:00 am, with viewing and family visitation at 10:00 am, at St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, 1701 5th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55313.

Internment to follow in St. Mary's Russian Orthodox Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to the St. Elijah Flowers That Do Not Whither Fund c/o St. Eijah Church, 15000 N. May Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73134, the St. Mary's Orthodox Cathedral Memorial fund, or to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104 or online at www.omrf.org.