Julia Leone Geertz of West Liberty, died on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, at the age of 55, of Covid-19. She will be missed dearly by her family, caregivers and friends.
The fifth of six daughters, Julie was born March 6, 1965, to Aurilee Wilson Geertz and Carl Geertz in West Liberty.
Julie attended L.L. Pickett School in Muscatine. There, she connected with kind and wonderful teachers whom she adored. After finishing school in 1986, she worked at Crossroads, Inc., Muscatine County sheltered workshop, until September 2012.
In her youth, Julie competed in Special Olympics and prided herself in collecting many ribbons and medals for various sporting events. She enjoyed several summer camp sessions through Camp Courageous in Monticello. Later, she participated in Camp Courageous travel programs, including Mark Twain’s home in Hannibal, MO, Mount Rushmore, Wisconsin Dells, and Adventureland in Des Moines.
Over the years, Julie passionately curated many unique collections, excelled at the games Uno and Yahtzee, loved cuddling animals, dancing, bowling, and cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes. She delighted in listening to music and singing favorite songs and hymns around the piano. Julie was a faithful member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Liberty, and later attended services at Zion Lutheran Church while living in Muscatine.
Julie was warm and loving, and had a wonderful sense of humor. Her smile could light up the room. She had an exceptional memory for people and an uncanny way of revisiting these relationships with friends and family, even years later.
In 1988, Julie moved to Trinity House and later Mulberry House, both women’s residential homes in Muscatine, where she lived for 22 years. She transitioned to Lutheran Living in September 2012, and in February 2016 relocated to the Simpson Memorial Home in West Liberty, where she was warmly cared for by staff and administrators.
Julie is survived and lovingly remembered by her parents. Carl and Aurilee Geertz of West Liberty as well as sisters Mary Ann Nelson and her husband Gregg of Kansas City, MO; Jennifer Brown and her husband Gordon of Norwalk, CT; Melinda Geertz and her husband Jeff Wassmann of Melbourne, Australia; Gina DePolo and her husband Timothy of Santa Cruz, CA; and Emily Geertz of West Liberty.
Also surviving are nieces and nephews Adrienne, Grant, and Meredith Dunham; Alexander, Grace, and Benjamin Brown; Isabel, Samuel, and Sophie Wassmann; Peter DePolo; and Jack, David, and Margaret Mahoney.
A private graveside service was held at Oakridge Cemetery in West Liberty.
Donations may be made in Julie's memory to Special Olympics at https://www.soiowa.org/ways-to-give/, or mail to Special Olympics Iowa, 551 SE Dovetail Road Box 620, Grimes, IA 50111-0620. The Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty is caring for Julie’s family.