Julie Ann Johansen, 74, of Farmington, Arkansas, passed away on September 25, 2026, at Circle of Life Hospice, surrounded by the love of her family.

Julie was born January 23, 1952, in Yankton, South Dakota, and grew up in rural Freeman, South Dakota. She attended Mount Marty High School in Yankton and later Harmony Hill in Watertown, South Dakota, where she graduated. She went on to attend beauty school and began a career as a hairstylist.

On February 24, 1973, Julie married Jack Johansen at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton. Together, they built a life and family that would span more than 53 years of marriage.

The family later moved to Chadron, Nebraska, before making their home in Farmington, Arkansas, in 1990. Throughout those years, Julie continued working as a hairstylist. After moving to Arkansas, she also found success in car sales, where her outgoing personality and natural ability to connect with people quickly made her a top salesperson. She eventually followed a dream of her own that would become one of the most recognizable parts of her life.

In the early 1990s, Julie started Partytime Ponies. What began as a dream grew into a business she operated for more than two decades before retiring in 2019. Through Partytime Ponies, Julie became affectionately known throughout the community as “the Pony Lady.” For years, she brought ponies and smiles to children and families throughout Northwest Arkansas, creating memories at birthday parties, celebrations, and community events. Her love of horses, strong work ethic, and determination helped her build something from the ground up that became both a livelihood for her family and a lasting part of her legacy.

Julie loved horses, camping, cooking, playing cards and games, being outdoors, spending time over coffee with friends, helping others, and gathering with the people she loved. Above all, family was an important part of her life. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend whose strength, determination, and unmistakable personality will be deeply missed by the many family members and friends she leaves behind.

Julie is survived by her husband of 53 years, Jack Johansen; her children, Jeremy Johansen (Kelly), Jimelle Rue (Ken), and Jill Chandler (Sean); her grandchildren, Abby Scholl (Alex), Jaclyn Dismang, Lily Dismang, Dodge Usrey, Nash Usrey, Mercede Chandler, Andrea Holmes (Luke), David Rue, Brian Chandler (Tierra), Erika Powell (Travis), and Ryan Talaski-Brown (David); ten great-grandchildren; her sister, Deloris Roth; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Lillian Graves.

Julie was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 2, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by the Rosary at 1:30 p.m. and the Funeral Mass at 2:00 p.m. A graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to return to St. Joseph Catholic Church following the graveside service for a reception and time together.

Julie leaves behind more than memories. She leaves behind a family and friends who loved her, a life built through hard work and determination, and a dream that became Partytime Ponies and brought happiness to countless children and families. To many in Northwest Arkansas, she will always be remembered simply and fondly as “the Pony Lady.”