Julie Calkins, age 70, peacefully went to her final resting place March 31, 2020, while at Israel Hospice House, Ames IA.
Julie was born July 1, 1949 to Donald & Irene (Johnson) Fuller, Chariton IA, and spent most of her childhood there. She graduated from Chariton High School, furthering her education by attending Des Moines Area Community College where she received her CNA certification. She was united by marriage to her high school sweetheart, Virgil Calkins, August 4, 1970. They were blessed with the birth of a daughter, Amelia, whom they loved and adored; she was the center of their universe. Julie worked as a CNA at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Knoxville IA, and Woodward State Hospital, Woodward IA, for more than 25 years.
During her childhood, Julie was surrounded by a loving, close-knit family and enjoyed the luxury of extended family living close by. There were many family gatherings to celebrate birthdays and holidays. Friday nights were designated as game nights. She learned to play and enjoy board games, especially cribbage. She carried her skill and love of this game throughout her life. Julie also looked forward to helping her mom deliver lunch to her dad at the local train depot, anticipating the adventure of climbing into a caboose or the excitement of being at the depot when a train whistled by out on the tracks. She recalled being the target of snowball fights with her brother, picnics with family, and roasting marshmallows.
As a high school student, Julie took piano lessons and played the flute in concert and marching band. Julie’s love of music was passed on to her from her parents as they were both active in the Chariton music community throughout their lives.
High school class reunions were a “must attend” event for Julie! She shared her excitement and enthusiasm upon receiving the invitation to attend as if it were the very first reunion of her classmates! The homecoming parade, the football game, the dinner were opportunities for her to reconnect. Julie treasured the friendship and kindness of classmates.
Trinity Methodist United Methodist Church, Huxley IA, was fortunate to have Julie as a member of their church. She followed the example set by her parents of having a firm faith foundation. Music was an integral part of her contribution to the church. She sang in the choir and also as a member of the church’s popular Praise band. Julie was blessed to be able to read scripture in a strong steady voice imparting the strength & importance of the passage to the congregation. She felt comforted and cared for in the friendships she made there.
Julie was a very kind, giving person with a heart to see the good in everyone. When she faced challenges in her life, her positive attitude, “Just take it one day at a time,” and her profound, steady, faith carried her through.
Julie is survived by daughter, Amelia (Shawn) Mathis of Slater; two grandchildren, Conner and Riley Mathis of Slater; mother, Irene Fuller of Story City; sister, Rebecca (Mark)Chandler of Colorado, brother, Fred (Julie) Fuller of Ankeny, sister-in-law Jane (Mark) Koch of Sargent Bluff, IA; brother-in-laws Dennis (Kay) Calkins of Mason City, IA and Douglas Swanson of Olds, IA. Julie is preceded in death by husband, Virgil Calkins, son, Aaron Dean Calkins, father, Donald Fuller, and father & mother-in-law, Lewis and LaVonne (Schrader) Calkins.
Due to the CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19, a private family graveside service will be held with a public memorial service at a later date. Burial will be in the Slater Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Soderstrum Funeral Home in Slater and online condolences may be left for Julie’s family at www.adamssoderstrum.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family in care of the Soderstrum Funeral Home, P.O. Box 745, Ames, Iowa 50010.
Julie was born July 1, 1949 to Donald & Irene (Johnson) Fuller, Chariton IA, and spent most of her childhood there. She graduated from Chariton High School, furthering her education by attending Des Moines Area Community College where she received her CNA certification. She was united by marriage to her high school sweetheart, Virgil Calkins, August 4, 1970. They were blessed with the birth of a daughter, Amelia, whom they loved and adored; she was the center of their universe. Julie worked as a CNA at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Knoxville IA, and Woodward State Hospital, Woodward IA, for more than 25 years.
During her childhood, Julie was surrounded by a loving, close-knit family and enjoyed the luxury of extended family living close by. There were many family gatherings to celebrate birthdays and holidays. Friday nights were designated as game nights. She learned to play and enjoy board games, especially cribbage. She carried her skill and love of this game throughout her life. Julie also looked forward to helping her mom deliver lunch to her dad at the local train depot, anticipating the adventure of climbing into a caboose or the excitement of being at the depot when a train whistled by out on the tracks. She recalled being the target of snowball fights with her brother, picnics with family, and roasting marshmallows.
As a high school student, Julie took piano lessons and played the flute in concert and marching band. Julie’s love of music was passed on to her from her parents as they were both active in the Chariton music community throughout their lives.
High school class reunions were a “must attend” event for Julie! She shared her excitement and enthusiasm upon receiving the invitation to attend as if it were the very first reunion of her classmates! The homecoming parade, the football game, the dinner were opportunities for her to reconnect. Julie treasured the friendship and kindness of classmates.
Trinity Methodist United Methodist Church, Huxley IA, was fortunate to have Julie as a member of their church. She followed the example set by her parents of having a firm faith foundation. Music was an integral part of her contribution to the church. She sang in the choir and also as a member of the church’s popular Praise band. Julie was blessed to be able to read scripture in a strong steady voice imparting the strength & importance of the passage to the congregation. She felt comforted and cared for in the friendships she made there.
Julie was a very kind, giving person with a heart to see the good in everyone. When she faced challenges in her life, her positive attitude, “Just take it one day at a time,” and her profound, steady, faith carried her through.
Julie is survived by daughter, Amelia (Shawn) Mathis of Slater; two grandchildren, Conner and Riley Mathis of Slater; mother, Irene Fuller of Story City; sister, Rebecca (Mark)Chandler of Colorado, brother, Fred (Julie) Fuller of Ankeny, sister-in-law Jane (Mark) Koch of Sargent Bluff, IA; brother-in-laws Dennis (Kay) Calkins of Mason City, IA and Douglas Swanson of Olds, IA. Julie is preceded in death by husband, Virgil Calkins, son, Aaron Dean Calkins, father, Donald Fuller, and father & mother-in-law, Lewis and LaVonne (Schrader) Calkins.
Due to the CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19, a private family graveside service will be held with a public memorial service at a later date. Burial will be in the Slater Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Soderstrum Funeral Home in Slater and online condolences may be left for Julie’s family at www.adamssoderstrum.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family in care of the Soderstrum Funeral Home, P.O. Box 745, Ames, Iowa 50010.
Julie Calkins, age 70, peacefully went to her final resting place March 31, 2020, while at Israel Hospice House, Ames IA.
Julie was born July 1, 1949 to Donald & Irene (Johnson) Fuller, Chariton IA, and spent most of her childhood there. She graduated from Chariton High School, furthering her education by attending Des Moines Area Community College where she received her CNA certification. She was united by marriage to her high school sweetheart, Virgil Calkins, August 4, 1970. They were blessed with the birth of a daughter, Amelia, whom they loved and adored; she was the center of their universe. Julie worked as a CNA at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Knoxville IA, and Woodward State Hospital, Woodward IA, for more than 25 years.
During her childhood, Julie was surrounded by a loving, close-knit family and enjoyed the luxury of extended family living close by. There were many family gatherings to celebrate birthdays and holidays. Friday nights were designated as game nights. She learned to play and enjoy board games, especially cribbage. She carried her skill and love of this game throughout her life. Julie also looked forward to helping her mom deliver lunch to her dad at the local train depot, anticipating the adventure of climbing into a caboose or the excitement of being at the depot when a train whistled by out on the tracks. She recalled being the target of snowball fights with her brother, picnics with family, and roasting marshmallows.
As a high school student, Julie took piano lessons and played the flute in concert and marching band. Julie’s love of music was passed on to her from her parents as they were both active in the Chariton music community throughout their lives.
High school class reunions were a “must attend” event for Julie! She shared her excitement and enthusiasm upon receiving the invitation to attend as if it were the very first reunion of her classmates! The homecoming parade, the football game, the dinner were opportunities for her to reconnect. Julie treasured the friendship and kindness of classmates.
Trinity Methodist United Methodist Church, Huxley IA, was fortunate to have Julie as a member of their church. She followed the example set by her parents of having a firm faith foundation. Music was an integral part of her contribution to the church. She sang in the choir and also as a member of the church’s popular Praise band. Julie was blessed to be able to read scripture in a strong steady voice imparting the strength & importance of the passage to the congregation. She felt comforted and cared for in the friendships she made there.
Julie was a very kind, giving person with a heart to see the good in everyone. When she faced challenges in her life, her positive attitude, “Just take it one day at a time,” and her profound, steady, faith carried her through.
Julie is survived by daughter, Amelia (Shawn) Mathis of Slater; two grandchildren, Conner and Riley Mathis of Slater; mother, Irene Fuller of Story City; sister, Rebecca (Mark)Chandler of Colorado, brother, Fred (Julie) Fuller of Ankeny, sister-in-law Jane (Mark) Koch of Sargent Bluff, IA; brother-in-laws Dennis (Kay) Calkins of Mason City, IA and Douglas Swanson of Olds, IA. Julie is preceded in death by husband, Virgil Calkins, son, Aaron Dean Calkins, father, Donald Fuller, and father & mother-in-law, Lewis and LaVonne (Schrader) Calkins.
Due to the CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19, a private family graveside service will be held with a public memorial service at a later date. Burial will be in the Slater Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Soderstrum Funeral Home in Slater and online condolences may be left for Julie’s family at www.adamssoderstrum.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family in care of the Soderstrum Funeral Home, P.O. Box 745, Ames, Iowa 50010.
Julie was born July 1, 1949 to Donald & Irene (Johnson) Fuller, Chariton IA, and spent most of her childhood there. She graduated from Chariton High School, furthering her education by attending Des Moines Area Community College where she received her CNA certification. She was united by marriage to her high school sweetheart, Virgil Calkins, August 4, 1970. They were blessed with the birth of a daughter, Amelia, whom they loved and adored; she was the center of their universe. Julie worked as a CNA at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Knoxville IA, and Woodward State Hospital, Woodward IA, for more than 25 years.
During her childhood, Julie was surrounded by a loving, close-knit family and enjoyed the luxury of extended family living close by. There were many family gatherings to celebrate birthdays and holidays. Friday nights were designated as game nights. She learned to play and enjoy board games, especially cribbage. She carried her skill and love of this game throughout her life. Julie also looked forward to helping her mom deliver lunch to her dad at the local train depot, anticipating the adventure of climbing into a caboose or the excitement of being at the depot when a train whistled by out on the tracks. She recalled being the target of snowball fights with her brother, picnics with family, and roasting marshmallows.
As a high school student, Julie took piano lessons and played the flute in concert and marching band. Julie’s love of music was passed on to her from her parents as they were both active in the Chariton music community throughout their lives.
High school class reunions were a “must attend” event for Julie! She shared her excitement and enthusiasm upon receiving the invitation to attend as if it were the very first reunion of her classmates! The homecoming parade, the football game, the dinner were opportunities for her to reconnect. Julie treasured the friendship and kindness of classmates.
Trinity Methodist United Methodist Church, Huxley IA, was fortunate to have Julie as a member of their church. She followed the example set by her parents of having a firm faith foundation. Music was an integral part of her contribution to the church. She sang in the choir and also as a member of the church’s popular Praise band. Julie was blessed to be able to read scripture in a strong steady voice imparting the strength & importance of the passage to the congregation. She felt comforted and cared for in the friendships she made there.
Julie was a very kind, giving person with a heart to see the good in everyone. When she faced challenges in her life, her positive attitude, “Just take it one day at a time,” and her profound, steady, faith carried her through.
Julie is survived by daughter, Amelia (Shawn) Mathis of Slater; two grandchildren, Conner and Riley Mathis of Slater; mother, Irene Fuller of Story City; sister, Rebecca (Mark)Chandler of Colorado, brother, Fred (Julie) Fuller of Ankeny, sister-in-law Jane (Mark) Koch of Sargent Bluff, IA; brother-in-laws Dennis (Kay) Calkins of Mason City, IA and Douglas Swanson of Olds, IA. Julie is preceded in death by husband, Virgil Calkins, son, Aaron Dean Calkins, father, Donald Fuller, and father & mother-in-law, Lewis and LaVonne (Schrader) Calkins.
Due to the CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19, a private family graveside service will be held with a public memorial service at a later date. Burial will be in the Slater Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Soderstrum Funeral Home in Slater and online condolences may be left for Julie’s family at www.adamssoderstrum.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family in care of the Soderstrum Funeral Home, P.O. Box 745, Ames, Iowa 50010.
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