Julia (Poulsen) Durand

Julia Durand, age 100, passed away Tuesday, October 26, 2010, at Lakeshore Manor. Julia was born in Racine, October 29, 1909, daughter of the late Julius and Dorothea (Nee: Thogensen) Poulsen. She was the youngest child in the family and had two brothers, Elmer and Roy, and two sisters, Mabel and Viola.

Julia was a graduate of Racine High School. Furthering her education, she graduated from St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing, Racine, in 1931. On October 18, 1933, at Emmaus Lutheran ELCA Church she was united in marriage to Laurier E. Durand, who preceded her in death, January 13, 1989.

Julia was a registered nurse working most of her career in maternity nursing, retiring in 1976 after 24 years in the St. Luke’s delivery room.  In 1995 Julia was recognized as a founding member, of the Nurses Foundation of Racine, scholarship arm of the Kenosha-Racine District.  She was a member of the Wisconsin Nurses Association for seventy-six years serving as Treasurer for four years.  Honored with a lifetime membership in 1997.  She held just about every office on the board of the Kenosha-Racine Nurses Association, and chaired the Selection Committee of the Nurses Foundation of Racine from 1983-2004, retiring at the age of 95.  Julia was an active member of Emmaus Evangelical Lutheran Church where she served as council member and Mary Circle member.  Julia was a longtime member of Meadowbrook Country Club and enjoyed playing bridge and golfing.

Survivors include her nieces and nephews, Joan (Ray) Boehm, Susan Schulson, Rev. Tom Poulsen, Jim Poulsen; great nieces and nephews; cousin, Carol Huff; extended family, Lyle (Laurel) Peters, Bill (Shirley) Irvine and families; her godson, Jeffry Irvine; goddaughters, Julie Youlis, Lisa Peters; other relatives and many dear friends.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 2, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at Emmaus Lutheran ELCA Church, 1925 Summit Ave., with Rev. Mary Janz and Rev. Tom Poulsen officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Monday at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Tuesday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at 10:30 a.m. Memorials to Emmaus Lutheran ELCA Church or to the Nurses Foundation of Racine  have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the nursing staff and caregivers at Lakeshore Manor for their loving and compassionate care.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine  (262) 634-7888