Julie Ellis

Julie Ellis (nee Heiman), “Jules” to some, “little girl” to David

June 11, 1955 – May 27, 2024

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Julie Ellis, age 68. She passed away peacefully in her husband’s arms at home Memorial Day, May 27, 2024, after a brave three year battle with cancer – being diagnosed with the rare Triple Negative Metaplastic Breast Cancer in 2021. Even though her surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments were gruelingat times with many side effects, she remained very positive, always had a smile and continued to live every day to its fullest.

Julie had a very caring, generous heart and always thought about others first. She made enormous time commitments towards the healthcare and companionship to her ailing mother living in Madison for the last 4 years of her mother’s life ending in 2023. Realizing that the cancer prognosis was less than positive early on, she gave even more of her time and energy by providing mentoring, verbal support, and encouragement to those in need. 

Julie was born on June 11, 1955 in Madison, WI. She was a 1973 graduate of Lafollette High School in Monona Grove. She attended UW-Whitewater, transferred to UW- Milwaukee and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Communicative Disorders in 1977 and her Master’s degree in 1979.  Julie began a career dedicated to children with special needs as a Speech Language Pathologist for Racine Unified Schools while completing her MA. She then decided to retire in May of 2015. Not really ready to retire after 36 years she worked the next 5 years at RCOC "Racine County Opportunity Center". She visited homes, worked with special needs and at-risk infants, along with children in the ‘Birth to Three’ program until 2020.

Julie and David met on July 13, 1978 at the McKinley Tennis courts. This started an immediate romance that grew over the next three plus years.  On October 24, 1981, in the Lutheran Church in Greendale Wisconsin, she was united in marriage with the love of her life. They lived in the Country Gate Apartments in Franklin, WI for 10 years. In 1987 they purchased 14 acres in the town of Norway (near Waterford, WI) for their intended future home. In 1991 they bought David's parents’ home in Greenfield as an interim residence until their home in Norway was planned, designed, down payment gathered and completed. They moved there in 1997, and have lived there ever since.

In 1992, Julie was certified as a Master Gardener via the UW Extension and applied these skills to beautify Racine County all on a volunteer basis. Additionally she designed and cultivatedbeautiful gardens at her home, her mom’s home, and at her church.

Julie was very content with family, home, friends and the simpler things in life. She loved nature and cared for the birds, squirrels, turkeys and deer that occupied her landscape in addition to pet turtles. She and David enjoyed taking day trips to the state and county parks with extended weekend trips to Cedarburg, Door and Vilas counties. They also enjoyed craft shows in Wisconsin with walks on golf courses in the winter. Longer trips in the States, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Europe and the Galapagos Islands were liberally sprinkled in.She was particularly fond of enjoying the sunshine and relaxing on the beach while at Gulf Shores with David.

Her creativity came out in many ways. She was known for her delicious cookies and bonbons that she showered on friends, family and all the healthcare workers she encountered through her cancer journey.  She was in the process of creating and publishing a children’s book with her mother.  Starting in 2012, her love of music led David and Julie to be hosts for the bi-annual Milwaukee “Piano Arts Competition” which invited very talented 16-21 year olds attending schools within North America for a week long competition.

Her peaceful place was in the Bible, a good book of meditations (especially Matthew Kelly), or in church.  She enjoyed and began playing the piano and taking care of the slide presentations at church services several times a week laterin her life. Julie was confirmed in the Catholic Church in June 2018.

Her life was one of continual dedication to self-improvement, with the caring and supporting of others taking precedent over herself. She participated in numerous groups in which she often accepted positions of responsibility and leadership as in Junior League. Julie joined AA in 2016 to battle a recent mildaddiction. Successfully avoiding alcohol since, she became a strong inspirational leader to others with that condition.

Surviving are her husband of 43 years, David Ellis, Sister, Kathleen “Kit” Heiman (Jeff Budrys) Issaquah, WA, Brother, Joel (Nicole) Heiman Madison, WI, Niece, Grace Heiman (Sam Parker) Sheridan, WY, Nephews, Dexter Budrys, Lafayette, CO, Samuel Heiman, Milwaukee, WI,  Bryan O’Connor, Oregon, WI.

Preceded in Death are her parents, Ernie J and Joan (McCray) Heiman, Sister, Beth O’Connor, Nephews, Nicolas Ratsimihah and Andrew Palmer

Services will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 305 S First Street Waterford, WI 53185 on Saturday, July 13.  Visitation will be held from 9:00am-11:00am, Catholic Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am, luncheon to immediately follow in the downstairs hall. A private burial will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Cemetery.

A special thank you to all the Aurora medical staff that aided Julie with outstanding care through her cancer ordeal.

Memorials to "American Cancer Society" or to "Racine County Food Bank" have been suggested in lieu of flowers. Checks or money can be placed in a drop box at the service.

Mealy-Stencel Funeral Home

225 W. Main St. Waterford, WI 53185

(262) 534-2233