Julene Dezeeuw
d. December 18, 2021
Julene DeZeeuw of Montevideo passed away on December 18th, 2021, in her home at the age of 73. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday December 30th at 11:00 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Montevideo with burial following at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church and continue one hour prior to services on Thursday.
Julene Dorothy (Kill) DeZeeuw was born to Joseph and Dorothy (Roberts) Kill on March 24, 1948, in Morris, MN. She grew up on a farm between Morris and Donnelly. Being the oldest of 5, she was very involved with the animals, gardening, and field work. She was baptized and confirmed at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. She graduated from Morris High School in 1966, and then attended the Univ. of MN Morris graduating with a degree in Elementary Education in 1972. During the 1980’s she received certification as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher from St. Cloud State.
While attending UMM she met Paul DeZeeuw, and they married on Sept. 6, 1968, at Assumption Catholic Church. They moved to Montevideo in Aug. 1970. They were blessed with three children: James, Jennifer and Jared. Julene was employed by the Montevideo School District for 35 years in various positions: long term sub, Title 1 teacher, interpreter/tutor for the hearing impaired, and ESL teacher. She also taught at the local Migrant School program for several summers. These positions took her to every building in the district working with students from ages 3-19. Julene also taught religious education for 10 years.
In 1981 Paul and Julene and their growing family took on the challenge of building their own home at Rolling Hills Drive just north of Montevideo. They made this wonderful location their home for 40 years. It was a great place to not only raise children but to gaze at the night sky and view sunsets. Watching the wildlife and birds that frequented their yard also brought much joy to her.
Julene loved gardening especially growing vegetables which were unfortunately shared with rabbits, moles and deer. She also enjoyed sewing and made prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and quilts for family members. She sewed baby blankets for sale and donation. After retirement in 2012 she joined a book club to share her joy of reading. She also had the time and opportunity to volunteer at various ministries at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The greatest highlight of her life was to be with and to attend her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, which meant many local and out of town trips for boys and girls swimming, basketball, track, cross country, softball, volleyball, and tennis. Those were such memorable times. Family time and holiday celebrations were always important to her. The family always enjoyed her homemade honey wheat bread, jams, dill pickles, and decorated cakes for special occasions.
Julene and Paul took many camping and road trips together. The most memorable trip was in 2013, when they made the long drive to Alaska and back with a small, slide-in pick-up camper with barely enough room for 2. The camping trips to the magnificent national parks of MT, WY, CO, and UT also held special memories. They also attempted to get to every state park in MN.
Julene is survived by her husband, Paul, of 53 years, children: Jim (Janelle) DeZeeuw of Montevideo, Jennifer (Steven) Lee of New Ulm, and Jared DeZeeuw of Moorhead; grandchildren: Adam DeZeeuw of St. Louis Park, Tyler DeZeeuw of Montevideo, Abbey Lee, Anna Lee, and Amber Lee all of New Ulm; 2 sisters: Lucille Barnes of Golden, CO; Charlotte (Kevin) Barnes of Waco, TX; and 2 brothers: Norbert Kill of Bloomington, MN; and Joe (Julie) Kill of Donnelly, MN and 4 nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Dorothy Kill; father and mother-in-law, Paul and Hattie DeZeeuw.
Julene Dorothy (Kill) DeZeeuw was born to Joseph and Dorothy (Roberts) Kill on March 24, 1948, in Morris, MN. She grew up on a farm between Morris and Donnelly. Being the oldest of 5, she was very involved with the animals, gardening, and field work. She was baptized and confirmed at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. She graduated from Morris High School in 1966, and then attended the Univ. of MN Morris graduating with a degree in Elementary Education in 1972. During the 1980’s she received certification as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher from St. Cloud State.
While attending UMM she met Paul DeZeeuw, and they married on Sept. 6, 1968, at Assumption Catholic Church. They moved to Montevideo in Aug. 1970. They were blessed with three children: James, Jennifer and Jared. Julene was employed by the Montevideo School District for 35 years in various positions: long term sub, Title 1 teacher, interpreter/tutor for the hearing impaired, and ESL teacher. She also taught at the local Migrant School program for several summers. These positions took her to every building in the district working with students from ages 3-19. Julene also taught religious education for 10 years.
In 1981 Paul and Julene and their growing family took on the challenge of building their own home at Rolling Hills Drive just north of Montevideo. They made this wonderful location their home for 40 years. It was a great place to not only raise children but to gaze at the night sky and view sunsets. Watching the wildlife and birds that frequented their yard also brought much joy to her.
Julene loved gardening especially growing vegetables which were unfortunately shared with rabbits, moles and deer. She also enjoyed sewing and made prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and quilts for family members. She sewed baby blankets for sale and donation. After retirement in 2012 she joined a book club to share her joy of reading. She also had the time and opportunity to volunteer at various ministries at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The greatest highlight of her life was to be with and to attend her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, which meant many local and out of town trips for boys and girls swimming, basketball, track, cross country, softball, volleyball, and tennis. Those were such memorable times. Family time and holiday celebrations were always important to her. The family always enjoyed her homemade honey wheat bread, jams, dill pickles, and decorated cakes for special occasions.
Julene and Paul took many camping and road trips together. The most memorable trip was in 2013, when they made the long drive to Alaska and back with a small, slide-in pick-up camper with barely enough room for 2. The camping trips to the magnificent national parks of MT, WY, CO, and UT also held special memories. They also attempted to get to every state park in MN.
Julene is survived by her husband, Paul, of 53 years, children: Jim (Janelle) DeZeeuw of Montevideo, Jennifer (Steven) Lee of New Ulm, and Jared DeZeeuw of Moorhead; grandchildren: Adam DeZeeuw of St. Louis Park, Tyler DeZeeuw of Montevideo, Abbey Lee, Anna Lee, and Amber Lee all of New Ulm; 2 sisters: Lucille Barnes of Golden, CO; Charlotte (Kevin) Barnes of Waco, TX; and 2 brothers: Norbert Kill of Bloomington, MN; and Joe (Julie) Kill of Donnelly, MN and 4 nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Dorothy Kill; father and mother-in-law, Paul and Hattie DeZeeuw.
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