Julie Binschus will be dearly missed by many in the Skagit community, according to her lifelong friend.

Binschus, one of six victims to die in a spree of violence Tuesday, was well known because she worked for 30 years at the Sedro-Woolley Food Pavilion, the main grocery store in town.

“It’s not going to be the same because nobody can fill her shoes,” said Dawn Knight, who worked with Binschus for 30 years, graduated with her from Sedro-Woolley High School and befriended her in junior high.

“We worked together forever. We grew up here.”

Binschus, 48, had many passions, her friend said. She made centerpieces and sold them at the annual craft bazaar in Clear Lake. She also liked to garden, fish and hunt, Knight said.

“There are not many wives you can take deer hunting and who can kill it and gut it, but Julie could,” Knight said.

Binschus and her husband, Fred, had been married almost 30 years, Knight said. Fred Binschus was injured in the attack Tuesday that claimed the lives of six people and injured four.

Binschus was released from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham Wednesday and was recovering at the home of a relative, Knight said. He was fortunate, she said, because the bullets passed through his body.

In addition to being a devoted employee, Julie Binschus was a loving member of a family that included two daughters with Fred, a stepdaughter and two granddaughters — a 2-year-old and an infant.

Tonya Fenton, Fred and Julie Binschus’ older daughter, worked at the same store as her mother for several years before becoming a mother herself.

Knight said mother and daughter got along well working at the same place.

“They were the best of friends,” she said.

Binschus was also a good mother-in-law, often cooking meals for Tonya’s husband, Trevor Fenton, when Tonya worked the evening shift.

“Trevor liked eating at Fred and Julie’s,” Knight said.

“She was a great person,” Knight said. “You can’t get any better.”