Julia Katheryn Minter (Mitchell) ‘Julie’ passed away peacefully on June 22nd at the age of 66 surrounded by the love of family and friends after a courageous and short battle with ALS. Julie was born on December 31, 1959, to Joan and John Mitchell and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. She was the youngest of four girls. In her younger years, she enjoyed time at the family farm in Winterset, Iowa playing with her siblings and cousins. Julie went to Roosevelt High School in Des Moines. A city girl who always had a love for nature and the country.
Julie met her husband Dan in Iowa, Christmas of 1991. They married soon after on June 13, 1992, and together built a beautiful life centered on faith, family, and adventure. They were blessed with two daughters, Christine in 1995 and Catherine in 1998, who were the greatest joys of her life.
Julie dedicated her life to serving others through recreation, ministry, healthcare, and compassionate care. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Recreation from the University of Northern Iowa. From 1974-1981 Julie worked with Moingona Girl Scout Camps. From 1982-1987 she was the YWCA Camp Wahpaton Director. Next, she was the director of the Black Hawk County YMCA day camps as well as the membership and public relations director from 1988-1992.
In 1992, she began working with her husband at One Stop Travel in Humboldt, Iowa and eventually they moved their family to Wausau, Wisconsin where they started their own business, Vacation Center etc., which they ran until 2008.
She then followed her calling to ministry and served as a youth minister for 5 years in Medford, WI and Clintonville, WI from 2008-2013 before becoming the director of the Catholic Life Center in Kohler and Sheboygan Falls, WI. She later answered another calling as a hospital chaplain with HSHS St. Vincent’s and St. Mary’s in Green Bay, WI. In this position she had the special privilege of serving people alongside her daughter, Christine, during the COVID-19 pandemic. She then concluded her professional ministry as a hospice chaplain with Aspirus in Central Wisconsin, providing comfort, dignity, and hope to countless patients and families.
Julie embraced life with enthusiasm and curiosity. She and Dan loved traveling together in their early years, making treasured memories at Disney with their children, throughout Europe, and on many cruises. In recent years, her love of travel was rekindled as she enjoyed several Caribbean cruises with her daughter, Catherine. Julie also discovered a creative passion for mosaic art, sharing many joyful hours creating alongside friends.
In October 2025, Julie was officially diagnosed with ALS. Though the disease progressed quickly, she continued to live with remarkable grace, courage, and faith. During her final months, she moved in with Christine, Michael and Ruth, where she cherished precious time with her granddaughter Ruth—watching her take her first steps, hearing her first words, and simply delighting in being "Oma."
Julie spent her final days at the Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau, WI, the very place where she had once served others as a hospice chaplain. It was a fitting full circle moment for a woman whose life's work was caring for those in their greatest moments of need.
Julie is preceded in death by her father John (1997) and mother Joan (2004). She is survived by her husband, Dan, daughter Catherine, daughter Christine (Michael), and treasured granddaughter Ruth. She is also survived by her siblings: Margaret (Steve), Mary Pat (nephew Michael), Sue (Vince, nieces Lizzie and Julie). Julie also leaves behind her beloved dogs, Hazel and Bella.
As a family we would like to thank the Mayo Clinic ALS Clinic team, Team Gleason, and the nurses and staff at the Aspirus Hospice House who kept her comfortable in her final moments.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Team Gleason in honor of Julie's courageous fight against ALS. Team Gleason provided many resources to our family to help care for Julie in her last months.
A funeral service will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nekoosa, WI on Friday, July 3rd. There will be a visitation where we can share stories of Julie starting at 9 am with mass at 10 am. Lunch to follow. A celebration of Julie's life will also be held in Iowa later this fall, where family and friends will gather to celebrate and remember the incredible woman she was, and the lasting impact she made on so many lives. A private burial for immediate family will occur at Restlawn Cemetery in Wausau, WI.
Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting the family. Online condolences and words of remembrance may be given at honorone.com.
