April 15, 1958 – July 03, 2024
OREGON — Julia, age 66, born to Gordon and Carol Heid (Rountree) in Dekalb, IL, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Oregon, IL where she lived the last few years of her life with her eldest son Nick, daughter-in-law Joy, and granddaughter Eden. Julia battled a number of difficult health issues these last several years; her family may now take solace in the fact that her pain is no more.
Julia was a bright, kind, patient soul who was married to the love of her life for 23 years and with whom she gave life to four beautiful children. Her heart and home were always open to any children, family, friend or wayward neighborhood youngster and she always had Little Debbie’s and other snacks for all. She was especially known by all for her famous Chocolate No Bake cookies.
Julia’s intense passion for cooking and love of children manifested through many of the jobs she took throughout the years including her years at LOMC where she cooked for summer camp kids. Her patience was boundless as she worked as an Aide/Cook at The Village of Progress and Stauffer Terrace where she worked with persons with developmental disabilities. After her retirement she continued to volunteer her time and love in the nursery and children’s church at The Church of the Brethren in Mount Morris, IL. All of these were more than just jobs to Julia, they were her legacy.
Julia is survived by her 4 children Nicholas(Joy) Nielsen, Sarah(Rusty) Hayenga, Justin(Laura) Nielsen, and Elizabeth Nielsen, 8 Grandchildren Eden, Zach, Jordan, Payton, Allen, Bertie, Chantel, and Starr, her older Brother Robert Heid, her incredibly loving and supportive Step-Mother Patricia Heid in tandem with her favorite Auntie Marilyn, as well as numerous other cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Julia is predeceased by her husband Robert Nielsen (2001), her mother Carol Webb-Rountree (2007), her father Gordon Heid (2022), and who could ever forget her most favorite doggy, Cisco K.
The family would like to offer sincere thanks to the hardworking doctors and nurses at her local KSB clinic in Oregon, Ilas well as the many therapists who came to see her in home to aid in her recovery, and finally, to her daughter-in-law Joy who assumed a role as her in-home caregiver and companion through this last chapter of her life.
A memorial service will be held at The Church of the Brethren in Mount Morris, IL at 12p on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life gathering at LOMC in Oregon, IL.
Should family or friends desire, a memorial fund has been created to help the family with Juila’s final expenses. https://www.gofundme.com/f/julia-ann-nielsens-final-expenses
