Julie Ann Olson

Julie Ann Olson (Johnson), 77, Maricopa, AZ passed away on May 22 surrounded by family after a prolonged battle with Cancer. She surpassed all expectations by living more than a year in hospice care, and left the earth on her own terms.

Julie was born and raised in rural Holmen, WI to Arnold and Pearl Johnson. She spent her childhood exploring the bluffs and coulees near their farm with her brothers, sisters, and lifelong friend, Shirley Fowler. She spent the majority of her adult life in Blair, WI. Julie was a renaissance woman. A typical day may have included: tending her immense flower gardens, removing an alternator from a Chevy Nova, processing the payroll for the family business, catching bass and pike from Lake Henry, and working late into the evening creating an intricate stained glass window. Upon retirement, Julie and her husband Orris relocated to Maricopa, AZ.

At heart, Julie was an artist. She excelled at surrounding herself with natural and crafted beauty. She enjoyed tending to plants and teaching classes with her fellow Master Gardeners. Julie created many different forms of art, but found her passion in working with stained glass. She created small projects to sell at local arts & crafts fairs. Her talent also attracted large commissioned window projects for area homes and businesses. Until her last breath, Julie was curious. She loved to learn, was an avid reader, and enjoyed playing cards with friends.

Most importantly, Julie was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend. She was defiantly tolerant and accepting of all. She was preceded in death by her parents. Julie is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Orris; sons Mark Olson(Tara), Reedsburg WI, and Jeff Ballentine(Dawn), Bloomer, WI; and daughter Kassie Ballentine, North Port, FL. Julie was the oldest of 7 children, and is survived by her brothers, Randy and Jerry; and sisters, Diane, Lisa, Christine, and Sally. She’ll be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Samantha, Tabatha, Julia, Jay, Kyra, Madelyn, Alayna, Clayre, and Marcus; and step-grandchildren, Jace, Jaren, Kaylyn, and Josh and great grandchildren, Keenan and Camille.

Julie’s family would like to thank the many caring doctors and nurses involved in her on-going care. We’d specifically like to point out the amazing empathy of her hospice nurse, Ernestine. To honor Julie, she’d appreciate a donation in her name to MAC Master Gardeners.