Julie Carlson

Julia L. Carlson went to be with her Heavenly Father on October 29, 2024, after a stroke ended her exuberant earthly life of 94 years. She had recently moved from Monticello, Iowa to Antigo, Wisconsin where she enjoyed her last days at Evergreen Terrace Assisted Living.

Julie was born dancing in 1930, the oldest of three daughters born to George and Hazel West of Lake Charles, LA. She enjoyed music and movement from her early days and often sang with her two sisters for various events. She graduated from Lake Charles High School and went on to McNeese Junior College. She later graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in Music. She trained as a vocalist and taught music, both professionally in public and parochial schools and as a ministry in the churches she attended throughout her life. In her 20’s she moved to Kansas City and was a program director with the YMCA. One of her responsibilities was to connect with young adult leaders from the churches in the city. That’s how she met her husband, Alan J. Carlson. They were wed in March1957. They moved to Chicago where their first son was born, and later moved to Belvidere, IL where their other two children were born. In 1967 the family moved to Wauwatosa, WI where Al and Julie raised their children and lived for over 40 years. In 2009 they moved to Monticello, IA for their last years together. Alan died in November 2021.

Julie enjoyed creating opportunities for groups of all ages to learn, worship, sing and dance. She’ll be remembered for her faith in Jesus Christ and her leadership in choirs, Sunday schools, senior centers, and music education using the Orff method of teaching music. More recently, she taught singing and dance to her great-grandchildren.

Julie is survived by her three children, Dave Carlson of Germantown, WI, Sharon (Tom) Duke of Antigo, WI, and Steve (Kim) Carlson of Monticello, IA; her sister, Olive Wagner of Boulder, CO; 11 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister, Ann West Snyder, brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.

Two gatherings are planned to celebrate Julie’s life, one in each of the two communities she’s lived in most recently:

A celebration of life service is scheduled for 2pm, November 15, 2024 at Antigo Community Church, 723 Deleglise St. in Antigo, Wisconsin. Visitation will be the same day, from 12:30pm until 2pm. A dessert reception will follow from approximately 3pm until 4:30pm.

A second gathering is scheduled for November 23rd from 2pm-4pm at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church in Monticello, Iowa. This time of remembrance will include music and eulogies starting at 2pm and a time of sharing stories and memories of Julie. A dessert reception will follow.

Memorials may be sent to Camp Courageous, (Campcourageous.org), Silver Birch Ranch (Silverbirchranch.org), Northwoods Retreat (Northwoodsretreat.org), The Arbor Day Foundation (arborday.org), or Heifer International (heifer.org).