Julia Anne Noftsker was born on May 23, 1937 in her grandparent’s home in Baker, Montana.\u00a0 Julia was the oldest of three children born to Irvin and Evelyn (Myhre) Noftsker.\u00a0 Julia’s family lived in Montana, Minnesota, Idaho, and California working mostly in farming and defense work.\u00a0 She started school in Hanford, Washington where her dad secretly worked on the atomic bomb site.\u00a0\u00a0 When the war ended, the family moved back to Baker, Montana where Julia lived until she graduated from high school.\u00a0 The family moved to a farm and Julia loved it here.\u00a0 She always told stories about the time she spent outside with their horses and her dogs, Duke and Tippy.<\/p>\n
Julia graduated salutatorian from Baker High School.\u00a0 After the death of her first husband, Milo Hansen in 1957, Julia married Richard Duane Willard (who had returned from the Air Force) in September of 1958 in Williston, ND.\u00a0 Julia did secretarial work and Richard pursued a teaching degree.\u00a0 Once he graduated, the couple settled in Kenosha, Wisconsin and raised their two children and pursued her career working as an office manager for American Collision and three medical clinics, until her retirement in 1999.<\/p>\n
Julia and her husband were heavily involved in the Kenosha Church of the Nazarene leading music in worship, Sunday School, Caravans, and the teens.\u00a0 She loved her work serving the Lord through bringing youth to Christ around her.\u00a0 In retirement, she and Richard took yearly trips with the Prime-Time group from Olivet Nazarene University.<\/p>\n
Julia’s other hobbies included carefully tending to and harvesting flowers (predominantly gladiolas at “Merfeld Acres” for weddings, weekly church services and her own family’s enjoyment.\u00a0 She was an avid “refunder” and prioritized family time above all else. In addition, she was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Milwaukee Bucks and PBR Bull Riding.\u00a0 Also, you couldn\u2019t find a bigger Michael Jordan fan!\u00a0 Her love of dogs has left a legacy with those who knew her.\u00a0 She lived with her daughter after the death of her husband until 2023 when she moved to her son’s in Wausau and then to Our House Senior Living where her life ended following a stroke.<\/p>\n
Julia is survived by her son, Kirk R. (Rebecca) Willard and daughter, Charity A.W. (Martin) Eigenberger; her five grandchildren, Sierra (fianc\u00e9 Taylor Knutson) Willard of Wausau, Nickolas (Shayne) Willard of Monroe, LA, Garrick Willard of Wausau, Haven and Grace Eigenberger both of Kenosha; and great grandchild, Claire Willard of Wausau.\u00a0 In addition, she is survived by her sister, Fern (Duane) Hanson of Fairview, MT, and many nieces and nephews.<\/p>\n
Julia was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Richard, infant son, Brent Irvin Willard and brother, Royal.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Funeral services honoring Julia’s life will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at Kenosha Family Church of the Nazarene, 3910 27th St, Kenosha, WI.<\/p>\n