Julia Deick, 91

Published 10:31 am Thursday, May 23, 2013

Julia, “Judy” Anastasia (Adams) Deick, of Austin, Minn., passed away peacefully on May 20, 2013, at Faribault Senior Living.

Deick

Best known as Judy to family and friends, she was born to Frank and Lois Adams in Stacyville, Iowa, on Feb. 10, 1922. Her wisdom went far beyond her years of education. She was raised on a farm during the 1930s. As one of the older children in the family she had a lot of responsibilities at home but also worked at local farmsteads to help her family. In her later teens she was hired as a housekeeper/nanny to a prominent family in Austin. It was at the Terp Ballroom in Austin where she met the love of her life, Elmer Deick. When asked about that evening Elmer would say she was the most beautiful girl he had ever met. They were married May 12, 1943, and continued to dance through 68 years of marriage. Judy often talked about the exciting times when she travelled by train, with her clothes in a paper sack, to New York City to visit Elmer who was on leave from the Merchant Marines during World War II. After the war the lived for a brief time in Wisconsin before returning in 1949 to Austin where they made their home for 65 years.

The pride and joy of Judy’s life were her children and greatgrandchildren. Aside from being a fulltime homemaker and raising nine children, Judy baked and sold cakes in the Austin area for 30 years. Many wedding, anniversary, graduation, confirmation and birthday parties were honored with her beautiful and delicious cakes. Judy shared her time between her family and church, devoting countless hours to St. Augustine’s kitchen, Rosary Committee, and the Philomathian Book Store. When not spending time with the family or church, Judy enjoyed travelling and took many fishing trips with Elmer. She spent many hours listening to baseball on the radio and found time for gardening, crafts of every kind including quilting, knitting, crocheting, cross stitching and was a skilled seamstress, making many children’s clothes, prom and bridesmaid dresses. She passed many of her skills on to her children. Very little time in her life was spent on idle hands .Judy will be missed for her kind heart, gentle soul, and the limitless love she had for her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Elmer, brothers: Robert and Joseph (Wally) Adams, sisters: Genevieve (Genny) Ott and Leona Kuckkan. Judy is survived by her children: Sheila (Perry) Laing of Marquette, MI, Brian (Carol) of Scottsdale, AZ, Linda (John) Estrem of Owatonna, MN, Alan (Beverly) of Marine on St. Croix, MN, Marvin (Sherry) of New Brighton, MN, Debra (Mike) Schrandt of Esko, MN, Jan (Amy) of Anchorage, AK, Lisa Tenhoff of Columbia Heights, MN, Dean (Marcia) of La Crosse, WI, 19 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchilden, sisters: Martha “Marti” (Wesley) Neff and Louise “Karen” Lins, numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.

The Deick family would like to thank the staff and aides at Faribault Senior Living and Hospice for providing wonderful care to Julia.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin on Tuesday, May 28, at 11 a.m. with Father James Steffes presiding. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to services. Judy will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Elmer at Calvary Cemetery in Austin. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or Hospice. Condolences for the family may be left at www.mayerfh.com.

Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.