Julia Wittgen Best

Julia "Juli" Wittgen Best, 49, of Highlands Ranch, CO, passed away on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, due to unexpected health complications. Born on July 26, 1975, in Evansville, Indiana, to Janice (Mallory) Wittgen and Richard Wittgen, Juli was the youngest of five children.

Juli graduated as valedictorian from Reitz Memorial High School in 1993. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering degree, graduating with honors from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, in 1998. While attending Purdue, she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and met her husband, John T. Best, whom she married in 2001.

Juli spent the majority of her career (16+ years) employed by Lockheed Martin. In her most recent role, she was Director of Production Operations Quality Assurance. Previously, she held positions with Ford Motor Company, Valeo and Ingersoll Rand.

Juli was an active member of her church community and mentor to early career women at Lockheed Martin. She loved travel, hiking, skiing, pickleball, and recently developed a passion for flower arranging. Nothing brought Juli more joy than being with her husband and children, whether it be exploring national parks or cheering on the family's beloved Purdue Boilermakers.

Juli is survived by her husband, John T. Best, her children: Andrea D. Best and John R. "Jack" Best, her mother, Janice (Mallory) Wittgen, brothers: Mark Wittgen (Debbie) and Jeffrey Wittgen (Patti), sister: Mary Rose Blankemeier (Daniel), and sisters-in-law: Barbara Warner (Doug), Susan Garrett (Robert), and Jane Best. She leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Juli was preceded in death by her father, Richard "Dick" Wittgen, brother, Michael J. Wittgen, and parents-in-law, John A. "Jack" Best and Carolyn D. Best.

Services will be held on Monday, June 30, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Mission Hills Church, 620 Southpark Drive, Littleton, CO 80120.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Julia Wittgen Best may be made to the Early Learning Center at Mission Hills Church. The contributions will go towards helping families in need with tuition and a great way to honor Juli’s values of motherhood, education, and faith. The link takes you directly to her fund: https://myrock.missionhills.org/elc