- Date Of Birth: August 14, 1925
- Date Of Death: April 22, 2021
- State: Kentucky
JULEEN “JULIE” KATHRINE SKUDLARSKI, 95, of Morehead, Kentucky, formerly of Shoreview, Minnesota, died in her sleep on April 22, 2021, at the Life Care Center in Morehead. She was predeceased by Ambrose “Bud” Skudlarski, her husband of 22 years; her parents, Edith and Ted Olson; her siblings: Isabelle Omvig, Roland Olson, and Ryna Alberg; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
Julie was born on August 14, 1925, in Frederic, Wisconsin, and grew up on their 40-acre family farm. One of her favorite memories was traveling to town in the spring to pick up two piglets to fatten for fall. She and her sister would poke the bag containing the little pigs every time they got quiet to be sure they were still alive. She also remembered her mom’s favorite cow Molly that gave two buckets of milk every day and their horse Dot that allowed the kids to ride while she plowed the fields. Picking tomatoes fresh out of the garden was a favorite pastime. She was often scolded for having tomato juice all down the fronts of her dresses because she ate them like apples.
Julie attended elementary school in Frederic. She loved riding to school in the horse drawn sleigh when the weather was too snowy or cold to walk. They would snuggle under the hay to stay warm. She graduated from Frederic High School on the other side of town where she was a good student, enjoying Music, English, Home Economics, and Literature.
Shortly after her graduation, her family moved to White Bear Lake, Minnesota, where she got her first job in a grocery store as a bagger and personal shopper. She was often praised for her ability to remember names and the items the customers preferred.
Julie met the love of her life, Bud in October of 1947, on a blind date. A group of her friends went on a “Pow-wow” on the shores of the St. Croix River at a spot called the “Boom Site.” The group of friends drank beer and ate hot dogs and then went dancing. From then on it was love all the way!
They were blessed to adopt two girls, Dee in 1957 and Kim in 1959. That is what made them a family. Their home was located in Sunrise Park with a white picket fence and lots of dear friends. Those friendships have continued to this day.
After her husband died unexpectedly in 1971, Julie went to work in the White Bear Lake School system as a Health Aide so she could be home with her daughters in the summer.
She was able to take many trips with Kim and husband Mark’s family and was able to connect with her relatives in Sweden on a couple of occasions.
She lived on her own in a condominium in Shoreview, Minnesota, for almost 35 years before she moved to Kentucky to be near her daughter Dee and husband Tom. Northfork Senior Living opened in September of 2016 and Julie was the first resident. The facility was only two miles from Dee’s home. They had many adventures together and Julie was able to connect with her “Kentucky Kids” quite often.
Her grandchildren Matt, Eric (Sarah), Joe (Amy), Emily (Josh), and Sarah (Brian) brought her much joy and gave her six wonderful great grandchildren: Silas, Jonah, Will, Lincoln, Russell, and Chloe. She never tired of hearing their stories and looking at their pictures. She lived independently at Northfork Senior Living until a fall this past February and never really got past the pain. She had a stroke in March which ended her independence.
Throughout her life she had a strong faith in God. She felt it was important to be honest and kind to everyone and treasured her friends as wonderful gifts. Prayer gave her support in times of trouble and loss, and she always felt God was near.
