Organicgirl's Julie Van Acker has died

Julie Van Acker of Organicgirl LLC died Thursday, Oct. 8, at home, from triple negative breast cancer, surrounded by family and friends, including her boyfriend Arnie Jackson. She was 53 years old and lived in Tampa, FL.

Julie Christine Thieman was born Dec. 18, 1966, to Frederick and Sue Ann (Bushmeyer) Thieman in Kansas City, KS, the middle of three children.

She graduated from Sumner Academy of Arts & Science in 1985. She attended Baker University in Baldwin City, KS, on a music scholarship, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in business and marketing in 1989.

After graduating from Baker, she began her professional career, working for companies such as Johnsonville Sausage, Sara Lee Foods and Advance Pierre Foods.

But she was best known in the fresh produce industry for her time at Organicgirl LLC, headquartered in Salinas, CA, which she joined in 2012. It was "the job of her dreams." She was business development manager there at the time of her death.

She was also a member of the Southeast Produce Council, and served on the council's leadership program for women in produce, which is known as Southern Roots.

"The SEPC wishes to express our sincere condolences to the family of Julie Van Acker," the council stated. "Her passion and dedication were tremendous assets utilized within several areas of the SEPC. She was one of our most tenacious and hardworking members, and her beautiful spirit touched the lives of so many with our SEPC family. She was dearly loved by all of us and will truly be missed."

Her survivors include her parents; her sister, Becky (Dan) Hart; her brother, Jeff (Jaime) Thieman; her uncle and aunt, Jack and Sheryl Bushmeyer; her nephew, Noah; her niece, Kerri; and many cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to The Humane Society of Tampa Bay, 3607 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, FL 33607.