Julie Ann Dehmer, age 73 of St. Michael, MN passed away Sunday, November 7, 2021. She was born December 28, 1947 in Minneapolis, the daughter of Richard “Bud” and Mary (Nelles) Setzler. She was raised in Osseo, MN and attended St. Michael Catholic High School in St. Michael, where she graduated in 1965. Julie began nursing school when she was 17 years old in Minneapolis and became a Registered Nurse in 1967.
Julie married her high school sweetheart, John Dehmer, in 1968. They made their home in St. Michael and set about creating a family and circle of friends about which Julie had always dreamed.
Julie worked in many different places and for many different people but always as a Registered Nurse and a faithful servant of others. When the law of the land was changed to allow abortion in 1973, Julie took up the pro-life cause and always fought for people to recognize the inherent value and dignity of each human life, no matter the state of disability or stage of development. Julie was a faith-filled believer and promulgated the devotion to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. Julie had an uncanny ability to know when someone was suffering and would act to alleviate it, no matter how burdensome for her. Even though she never wanted attention on herself, she was such a bright light in the world, that everyone who met and knew her could never forget her! She made everyday walks in the neighborhood marvelous adventures of exploration. She could take a mundane tale told to her and make it sound like an epic experience in her version of the re-telling. Julie never cared about possessions or riches, and generously gave even if it was all she had. She focused particularly on making each of her beloved grandchildren feel special and loved. They were some of her best friends. Her family to her was worth more than gold and each friend she made in life was like a precious jewel.
Preceded in death by her parents, Richard “Bud” and Mary Setzler; son, Nicholas Dehmer; and granddaughter, Laurencia Witschen.
Survived by her husband, John Dehmer; children, Laura (Butch) Nielsen, Katrina (Matt) Witschen, daughter-in-law, Katie Dehmer, Peter (Janel) Dehmer, Rudy (Marissa Powers) Dehmer, Anna (Matt) Mrdutt; 39 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild; brothers and sisters, Janet (Leon) Breun, Arnold (Kathy) Setzler, Steven (Carolyn) Setzler, and Barbara Setzler. Dear brothers and sisters in-law, Francis (Jan) Dehmer, Mary (Al) Gindele, Thomas (Judy) Dehmer, Jerry (Cecelia) Dehmer, and Sr. “Bonnie” Joanne Dehmer.
Visitation for Julie and John will be held Monday, November 22, 2021 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with a prayer service and time of sharing at 7:15 PM, at St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michael. A Mass of Christian Burial for Julie and John will be held Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior, at St. Michael Catholic Church with Father Joseph Zabinski, Father Andrew Stueve, and Deacon Steven Dupay as Concelebrants. Burial will follow at St. Michael Cemetery.
Services may be livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/c/StMichaelCatholicChurchStMichaelMN
Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home. 763-497-5362. www.thepetersonchapel.com.
My beautiful friend and neighbor, Shereen Theisen, spent a few hours one evening sharing stories of her beautiful-hearted Aunt Julie. While I didn’t know Julie personally, the stories she told and the few pics that she shared, were truly moving. With every word Sheri shared, I could hear so much love and adoration in her voice. From this, I know that the world has lost a beautiful soul. But, no doubt, her legacy lives on and continues to impact the world, because even in just hearing about Aunt Julie’s life, it inspires me to be a better person.
Godspeed, Aunt Julie! When a stranger feels your love — you know you are truly special. Thank you for sharing your selfless love with the world.
Going to miss our caring neighbor. First met Julie when she delivered home made pickles as a welcome gift. Not good at remembering names, our family lovingly called her “the pickle lady” We will always remember “Julie”
I am also a nurse and worked with Julie at Buffalo Hospital. It was my first nursing job out of school. I watched Julie as she treated each patient with such kindness, compassion care. She not only helped teach me to be a good nurse but taught me that it was okay to use my faith in the work place. I often think of her with her big kind heart. May the Lord be with her family during their grief.
I will always be grateful to my cherished childhood friend Laura for sharing her home and family with me when we were kids. I grew up with Laura, and I was so lucky to spend all the time I did at the Dehmer household. I was the youngest, so it was an education to see it from the other side. I loved sleepovers with Laura and Katrina so much—and a big part of that was because Julie was a sweet, caring mom. She always allowed room for fun (music, dress-up, dancing, and even cereal as a before-bed snack—I’d never heard of such a thing!) but most importantly, Julie was kind. She always asked me how I was—and something in me knew she wasn’t just asking out of habit or manners, like so many grownups do, but that she wanted a real, honest answer. Even if she was just getting home from a long hospital shift, even if she had just lugged bags and bags of groceries up to the kitchen to unpack, even if Laura’s younger siblings were as excited to see her as I was and were jumping on her, or if the babies needed her (Rudy, then later, Anna too), Julie smiled her wide (albeit, sometimes tired) smile, looked me in the eye, and listened to what I had to say, making me feel like the only person in the room. I don’t know that I remember any specific advice, but I know I felt soothed and special after even just a few moments with her.
Julie had an undeniable warmth and kindness– undoubtedly anyone who knew her understands what I mean. How she had the energy and ability to care for so many people, and to care so well, is miraculous. She was a gift.
Looking back on it as an adult, I see how it could have been so easy for Julie to say I couldn’t stay overnight for any number of reasons: because she had to work, or there was too much going on with the kids and their activities, or I ate too much of their food (okay, maybe too many servings of their cereal). But she did let me come—and many other of her kids’ friends, too. We were lucky to be temporary, honorary Dehmers, and we all were so, so blessed to have Julie in our lives.
My love and sincerest condolences to dear Julie’s family. I hope sooner rather than later, your tears subside and your memories are filled only with smiles and laughter.