Date of Birth
Mar 05,1958
Date of Death
Sep 04,2014
JULIE MARIE NELSON, age 56, of Maple Park, fought a long and valiant battle with cancer before it broke her body, but never her spirit. She claimed the promise of her Savior, Thursday, September 4, 2014, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family. She was born March 5, 1958, in Elgin, IL, the daughter of George and Grace (Dougherty) Wisdom. Julie grew up in Elgin and attended local schools. She attended St. Edwards High School where she made new friends at every turn, participated in track, and graduated with the class of 1976. Julie went on to attend Elgin Community College, earning an Associate’s Degree before enrolling in Southern Illinois University. Julie was an outgoing person with plenty of charisma to spare, which lent itself well when it came to the variety jobs and positions she held during her working career. Julie worked in the childcare industry for a time, working with Kindercare but eventually found her home in the hospitality industry. Working as a waitress at Johnny Walkers Bakery gave her a foundation in serving others, which led to Fisherman’s Inn, a stint with Avon Cosmetics and eventually a position at some of the most exclusive clubs in the area. Her passion was people and it showed. In charge of numerous banquets and training personnel, it wasn’t long before everyone was asking for Julie. Julie was proud of her Catholic faith, as well as her membership at various local churches. Most recently she was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Batavia where she served her Lord and Savior as she did her community, with all her heart. Baking for mission trips fund raisers, writing cards for the elderly living in nursing homes through the Enriching Lives Ministry, as well as developing a personal passion for the Rosary are only a few of the ways Julie dedicated herself to her church. Julie had waited most of her life for the right man to come along, and when she found Ken Nelson, she knew he was the one. Two hearts became one when they were united in marriage in 2004. Julie enjoyed the outdoors where she indulged taking long walks, went jogging and bicycling. Her favorite vacation spot was close by in Wisconsin where she loved to spend time as a child, and later as an adult with her family. Just like her mother, cards and letters were often sent on various occasions, just like making sure that everyone felt special. If you were furry and had four legs, there was always room for you, not only in Julie’s home, but her heart. Julie adopted many cats and dogs over the years, each one becoming a full-fledged member of her family. Though Julie longed to stay, her memories will serve as her legacy and will continue to be treasured forever. She is survived by her loving husband of ten years, Ken Nelson, Two step-children: Dan (Trina) Nelson and Kathy (Ryan) Gibbs;Five step-grandchildren:Katlyn Nelson, Alyssa Nelson, Tyler Crowell, Trinity Howard and Andrew Gibbs;One step great-grandson, Kyran Smith;Her parents, George and Grace Wisdom;Six siblings: Mike (Barb) Wisdom,John (Roxanne) Wisdom, Peter (Janet) Wisdom, Paul (Mary) Wisdom, Steve (Kim) Wisdom and Angie (Bruce) Stastny;many nieces and nephews and a family of friends. She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Richard and Irene Dougherty, paternal grandparents, Harry and Angela Wisdom and one nephew, Brooks Wisdom. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., with a wake service to commence at 7:30 p.m., Monday, September 8, 2014, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A mass will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2300 Main St. Rd., Batavia, IL, at 10:30 a.m., Fr. Timothy Draper, an associate pastor of the church, will officiate with interment to follow at Blackberry Township Cemetery, Elburn, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be mailed direct to Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2300 Main St. Rd., Batavia, IL 60510 or Journeycare Hospice, 405 Lake Zurich Rd., Barrington, IL 60010. Tributes may be forwarded on the web at www.conleycare.com.The family would like to extend their most heartfelt thank you to the wonderful staff at Journeycare Hospice, especially nurses Beth and Melissa, as well as Deacon Michael Monteleone.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., with a wake service to commence at 7:30 p.m., Monday, September 8, 2014, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A mass will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2300 Main St. Rd., Batavia, IL, at 10:30 a.m., Fr. Timothy Draper, an associate pastor of the church, will officiate with interment to follow at Blackberry Township Cemetery, Elburn, IL.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., with a wake service to commence at 7:30 p.m., Monday, September 8, 2014, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A mass will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2300 Main St. Rd., Batavia, IL, at 10:30 a.m., Fr. Timothy Draper, an associate pastor of the church, will officiate with interment to follow at Blackberry Township Cemetery, Elburn, IL.