Julie Ann Berres

Julie was born on November 26, 1969, in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, to Douglas Hugh DeBough and Kathrine Louise DeBough. She grew up in Mankato alongside her twin brother Troy, where the two shared a childhood filled with neighborhood friends, cartoons, after-school adventures, and long summer days spent outside. Julie enjoyed the simple freedom of being a kid and made many memories with her brother, who was not only her twin but someone who shared the earliest years of her life. She also loved riding her bike, swimming, playing tennis, and spending time at Grandma Mae's, where she enjoyed riding horses.

Julie attended Mankato West High School and graduated with the Class of 1988. After high school, she began her professional life by attending cosmetology school before eventually finding her way into the medical field. Julie worked as a Hospital Unit Coordinator at both St. Paul Children's Hospital and Minneapolis Children's Hospital. She was compassionate, calm, organized, and someone others appreciated having around. One of her proudest memories from her career came from working overtime in the heart unit, where she learned so much and was recognized for the work she did and even winning a bike for being so appreciated.

On June 28, 2003, Julie married the love of her life, Scott Joseph Berres. Together, they built a life centered around family, laughter, and making memories. Julie spent most of her life in Minnesota, where she grew up and raised her children, Nicholas Patrick Gavin and Grace Katherine Berres. Later, in 2023, Julie and Scott moved to Winter Haven, Florida, beginning a new chapter together.

Of everything Julie did in her life, being a mom was one of the roles she cherished most. She poured herself into her children and was there for every first, every milestone, and every accomplishment. She encouraged them, supported them, and was always their biggest fan. As the kids got older Julie was there cheering them both on. Watching her children grow into the adults they became was one of the things she was most proud of. She was equally proud of Scott and deeply grateful for the way he stood beside her through the hardest and most uncomfortable times of her life. Julie believed husbands did not always get enough credit for never giving up, and she appreciated the love and commitment Scott showed her throughout everything they faced together.

Julie was a woman of many interests, and she found joy in both adventure and the simple things in life. She loved reading, learning new things, attending Bible study, gardening, caring for her houseplants, crocheting, photography, vintage shopping, kayaking, traveling, and camping. Camping had been part of Julie's life from an early age. Growing up, her family would rent an RV and travel through the mountains. When she had a family of her own, she continued that tradition. What started with a tent-camping trip eventually led to a pop-up camper, then a trailer, and eventually a larger camper that became permanently placed in Forest City, Iowa. Many memories were made there.

She was also proudly a Chicken Mama. Her backyard chickens brought her endless entertainment, fresh eggs, and a simple kind of happiness that she loved sharing with others. Julie loved animals throughout her life, including Tallie, the family's beloved Goldendoodle, and Ivy, the Boston Terrier who remains a beloved part of the family.

Julie had a love for music, especially music from the 1980s, a decade that always held a special place in her heart. She enjoyed AC/DC's Thunderstruck, Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar on Me, and Whitesnake's Here I Go Again, but she loved Christian music as well. One of her favorite songs was I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe, which made her think about heaven and being reunited with the family members who had already gone before her. During her battle with cancer, she found strength in Wilson Phillips' Hold On and Rachel Platten's Fight Song, playing them loud because, as anyone who knew Julie would tell you, she fought hard.

If Julie's life could be described in one word, it would be giving. She gave to her family, her friends, and the people around her and that was how she loved. She volunteered at her children's schools and sporting activities and within her church community. She cared deeply about people and wanted to help whenever she could.

Julie was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in spring of 2021 and later went into remission. She was eventually diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer, which later spread to her bones and liver. Throughout her journey, she endured approximately 13 surgeries, 5 different types of chemotherapy, 38 chemotherapy appointments, 20 radiation treatments, countless tests and injections, and PET scans every three months. It was during this time that Julie realized just how strong she truly was. But Julie did not lose a battle to cancer. Cancer was something she endured, but it was never who she was. She fought hard, but more importantly, she continued to live, love, laugh, and care about the people around her. Her strength was not measured by the treatments she went through or the time she spent fighting. Her strength was shown in the way she faced what came her way and continued to be Julie through it all.

Julie was kind, funny, generous, hardworking, adventurous, outgoing, caring, creative, and loyal. She loved the kind of laughter that came from knowing someone so well that all it took was a certain word, facial expression, or inside joke for everyone to start laughing. Some jokes made no sense to anyone outside of that friendship, but those were often the best ones. Her friends brought her laughter, and she treasured the people who knew her well enough to share those moments with her. Julie hoped that the people she loved would learn to care for others, be responsible, pay attention to their surroundings, and be cautious in life while still making the most of it. She believed people should stay active, enjoy the people and places around them, and have fun while they were young.

Julie is preceded in death by her father, Douglas Hugh DeBough, and her beloved twin brother, Troy Douglas DeBough. She is survived by her husband, Scott Joseph Berres; her son, Nicholas Patrick Gavin (Allison); her daughter, Grace Katherine Berres; her beloved dog, Ivy; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, lifelong friends, and countless others who were fortunate enough to know and love her.

Above all else, Julie was proud of her children, her family, and the people she loved. Her life was not defined by cancer, but by the love she gave, the memories she created, the people she cared for, and the way she made those around her feel. Julie hoped everyone would remember just how much she loved them.

“Love you, always and forever.” - Julie Berres

Memorial Donations

In lieu of flowers, Julie expressed that she would much rather have donations sent to the Blessing Box Project, an organization that supports people undergoing mastectomies and breast cancer treatment by providing free care packages with items to bring comfort and support during recovery.

https://blessingboxproject.com/#a141157e-3b00-4a06-8efb-7f1288f1fa20