Julie A. Lauer

Julie A. Lauer, 44, of Appleton passed into eternal life on April 5, 2009, at Cherry Meadows Hospice after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. Julie was born on September 22, 1964, in Appleton, the daughter of Norbert and Rose Ann (Hietpas) Lauer.

Julie graduated from Appleton West High School in 1983 and earned an associate's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley in 1985. She spent her life caring for children, primarily through her job as a teacher's aide for the Appleton School District for about 20 years. She worked in the Early Childhood programs at Jefferson, Huntley, McKinley and Edison elementary schools where she showed complete devotion to each preschooler. Even after becoming ill, she continued to prepare school materials from her home. In addition to her professional work as a teacher's aide, she taught Children's Church to kindergarteners from St. Mary Parish in Appleton for more than 20 years. Many families are indebted to her for being a creative and reliable babysitter, always coming into their homes with her camera and her goodie bag full of books and Disney toys and movies. Even as an adult, she continued to make herself available to parents who needed a caregiver who reinforced their values, often teaching the children the craft of scrapbooking. She showed her deepest affection to her nieces and nephews. Julie also worked at Kohl's Department Store for 10 years.

A life-long member of St. Mary Parish, Julie was a founding member of the Hand Bell Choir and served as an usher. Prayer was a comfort to her throughout her life, particularly during the past two years. Many parishioners of St. Mary and Appleton teachers returned the love shown by Julie and provided meals for her and her family during her illness – a special thank you to Donna Francek for her special care.

Julie is survived by her mother: Rose Ann; her brothers: Daniel Lauer of Little Chute and Gerald (Rita) Lauer of Omro; her sister: Sue Ann (Dwayne) Van Den Elsen of Little Chute; nieces and nephews: Richard Reinke, Annette and Jennifer Marsh, Jeremy, Nicholas, Arvin and Stephanie Lauer, and Terry and Sara Van Den Elsen; great niece and nephews: Tyler, Aubrey and Keagan Marsh; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends and associates.

She was preceded in death by her father, Norbert, in 2007; her maternal grandparents, Sebastian and Helen Hietpas, her paternal grandparents, John and Magdalen Lauer and step-grandfather, Anton Lauer.

The funeral liturgy for Julie will be held Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at 2:00 PM at ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 312 S. State Street, Appleton, with Father Michael K. O'Rourke officiating. Interment will take place at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Appleton. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 7 (TONIGHT), at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior Street in Appleton, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday at the church from 1:00 PM until the time of mass. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Julie's name.

Julie's family would like to extend a special thank you to Drs. Kevin Mortara and John Swanson and the staffs of the Martha Siekman Center, Colony Oaks Care Center, and Cherry Meadows Hospice for their special care.

Julie, we will remember you for your gift of bringing family and friends together and for your love of life. You always said, “Where there's life, there's hope.” During this Holy Week, you are experiencing where our real hope lies as you celebrate eternal life with our Lord.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 59411
920-739-1231