Julia Kastel

VISITATION:

10 - 11 a.m., Friday, September 2 at Christ Lutheran Church, 467 E. Colome Street, Chippewa Falls

MEMORIAL SERVICE:

11 a.m., Friday, September 2 at Christ Lutheran Church, 467 E. Colome Street, Chippewa Falls

Julia Mae "Julie" Kastel, 66, passed away on Friday, August 26, 2016 surrounded by her loving family at Dove Health West in Eau Claire.

She was born on July 15, 1950, the daughter of Albert and Muriel (Danielson) Shervey. In early childhood, she lived in Cadott and grew up on Lake Wissota, attended Stillson School and graduated from Chippewa Falls Senior High School in 1968. She was stricken with a malignant brain tumor shortly after she began studies at University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire in December of 1968.

After surgery at Mayo Clinic, followed by massive radiation treatments over a three month period, she was discharged with a prognosis of "living no more than three years." She proved them wrong, with a miracle by God, living more than 48 years!

Julie married Thomas Kastel on June 16, 1973 in the garden of her home on Lake Wissota. They raised two daughters and enjoyed following them as they participated in various activities. Along with raising the girls, she worked for the State of Wisconsin for over 32 years.

Julie loved music, beginning piano lessons when she was too short to reach the pedals and was organist in her church as a teenager. Julie sang in chorus and choir in school, and accompanied the choir. She continued to play piano until her failing sight did not allow her to continue.

Julie volunteered at the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls. She loved animals and volunteered at the Humane Association. Julie loved her flower gardens and spent many happy hours planning, planting and weeding.

About 30 years after the radiation, the ravages of the disease and the treatments began to appear, leading to numerous health problems, too many to count. Despite several surgical procedures and modern medical interventions, her steady, stubborn, strong will, Julie gradually became totally disabled and lost her hard-fought battle. She never lost her beautiful cheerful smile no matter what happened.

Julie never let her health get her down, she was an inspiration to all who knew her. She enjoyed traveling, puzzles and reading, but above all, she loved her grandchildren and cherished time spent with them.

Julie is survived by her husband, Thomas Kastel of Lake Hallie; daughters, Lynette Kastel of Eau Claire, Lisa (Mike) Myers of Lake Hallie; two grandchildren, Easton and Kendall Myers of Lake Hallie; her mother, Muriel Shervey of Chippewa Falls; sister, Ruth (Richard) Rosenow of Chippewa Falls; brothers, John (Carol) Shervey of Kent, Wash., Daniel (Joanne) Shervey of Moneta, Va., and David (Kathy) Shervey of Jim Falls; sisters-in-law, Sue (Jim) Hilger of Custer, Pat (Rick) Parks of Boise, Idaho; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Michelle Lynn; her father, Albert Shervey; a sister-in-law, Nancy Johnson; mother-in-law, Leone Kastel; and father-in-law, Melvin Kastel.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, September 2 at Christ Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls with Rev. Mark Homp officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her daughter at a later date in Bateman Cemetery, town of Lafayette.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service Friday at the church.

The family wishes to extend thanks to the many wonderful care centers in our community: St. Joseph's & Sacred Heart Hospitals, Chippewa Manor, Our House, and Rutledge Home in Chippewa Falls; Hopes and Dreams in Cadott; and most recently, the staff at Dove West for exceptional kindness and skillful care to both Julie and our family in her final days.