Julia Anne Noftsker was born on May 23, 1937 in her grandparent's home in Baker, Montana.  Julia was the oldest of three children born to Irvin and Evelyn (Myhre) Noftsker.  Julia's family lived in Montana, Minnesota, Idaho, and California working mostly in farming and defense work.  She started school in Hanford, Washington where her dad secretly worked on the atomic bomb site.   When the war ended, the family moved back to Baker, Montana where Julia lived until she graduated from high school.  The family moved to a farm and Julia loved it here.  She always told stories about the time she spent outside with their horses and her dogs, Duke and Tippy.

Julia graduated salutatorian from Baker High School.  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.  Julia did secretarial work and Richard pursued a teaching degree.  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.

Julia and her husband were heavily involved in the Kenosha Church of the Nazarene leading music in worship, Sunday School, Caravans, and the teens.  She loved her work serving the Lord through bringing youth to Christ around her.  In retirement, she and Richard took yearly trips with the Prime-Time group from Olivet Nazarene University.

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.  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.  Also, you couldn’t find a bigger Michael Jordan fan!  Her love of dogs has left a legacy with those who knew her.  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.

Julia is survived by her son, Kirk R. (Rebecca) Willard and daughter, Charity A.W. (Martin) Eigenberger; her five grandchildren, Sierra (fiancé 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.  In addition, she is survived by her sister, Fern (Duane) Hanson of Fairview, MT, and many nieces and nephews.

Julia was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Richard, infant son, Brent Irvin Willard and brother, Royal.

Service Info

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.

The service may be viewed via livestream on the following link facebook.com/PiaseckiFuneralHome/live/. You do not need Facebook to watch.

Interment will take place at a later date in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park.

A visitation for Julia will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 2:30 p.m. until the time of the service at the church.