Julie M. Lutz

Julie Marie Lutz, age 60, passed away at Aspirus Hospital on March 6, 2024, after battling muscular dystrophy for over 20 years.

Julie was born on March 26, 1963, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Julie enjoyed sports and being active at a very young age. She spent summers at the city swimming pool and winters at the Goerke ice skating rink. She loved the open fields next to her house where she picked wild strawberries and played baseball, football, and frisbee. Her love of sports flourished in high school where she earned 10 varsity letters in basketball, volleyball, and softball. The highlight of her athletic career was being a player on the SPASH girls 1980 State Basketball Championship team.

Julie showed her love for music at a young age when she learned to play the piano and continued this throughout her entire life. Her love for art began with her painting in high school. She was an amazing artist and was given the honor of painting a large wall mural depicting athletes in action. This mural was displayed above the entrance to the SPASH fieldhouse for nearly 30 years.

Julie graduated with high honors from SPASH in 1981 and from UWSP with a bachelor's degree in 1985. She worked as a manager at Shopko for 6 years. Next, she worked at the Neenah Public Library as the front desk manager for nearly a decade, and finally she was employed as an account manager at Pitney Bowes for around 10 more years. Outside of work, she was involved with her local church, including "bible study" groups and get-togethers with friends.

At the age of 27, Julie became a mother to her only child Anthony. She was the most loving mother, who devoted all her time to her family. They spent a lot of summer nights playing checkers or cards on the back porch. She loved teaching him piano and some of her artistic painting skills. Julie had such pride in her gardening and flowerbeds, she would work on them for what felt like eternity, as Anthony shot hoops in the driveway with Bob Uecker on the radio. She also loved taking Anthony and friends up north camping in Minocqua while showing them how to make fires (and the perfect smore), fish, and just enjoy the peace and serenity of sitting by a lake. She genuinely passed on a love of nature, exploring, and the outdoors that has shaped Anthony and others in a beautiful way.

As Anthony grew, so did Julie's skill in being the absolute perfect boy-mom. Whether it was attending more Brewers game than even she can remember, or watching all of Anthony's football, basketball, and baseball games, Julie had the purest joy. Honestly, she attended what seemed like 399 of the 400 games he ever played in – and has the photos to prove it. She cheered louder than the rest, was a shoulder to lean on after a bad performance, and always had wisdom like keeping your elbow in on the missed free throws.

She had a passion for traveling as well. Over the years, she visited places like Hawaii, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Belize, and Honduras. Julie celebrated her 40th birthday with a full tour of Italy. She also visited national parks like Yellowstone and Badlands, and a total of 31 of the 50 states. New York city might have been her favorite overall though, visiting family and exploring the city over 15 times.

Julie truly lived her life to the fullest. Her family and friends saw firsthand how strong-willed, determined, and truly how much of a fighter she was. She gave others, including her son, a new outlook on life. Julie put an emphasis on loving her family and wanted to do whatever she could. She had so much love for those around her, including her nieces and nephew, as she enjoyed watching them grow up to become the people they are.

Julie is survived by her son, Anthony, father Joseph Fox, sister Judie Nolan (David), brother Michael Fox, sister-in-law Amy Fox, aunts and uncles, Vera, Doris and Dick, Chris and Tom, Terri and Paul, and nieces Rachel (Jeremy), Megan, Emily, Brooklyn and Nicole, and her favorite nephew Jackson.

Julie was proceeded in death by her mother Joan (Ziaja) Fox, her brother Matthew Fox, grandparents Joseph and Elfa Fox and Ted and Theresa Ziaja, uncles and aunts, Barney, Don and Alice, Gary and Sharon.

The family deeply appreciates the recognition, services, and help from the Aspirus Hospital in Stevens Point (Nurse Ashley), and the team at Stevens Point Health Services for all they did.

Julie will truly be missed by so many people. Her love, her heart, and her passion have created many fond memories for people to able to carry and hold onto going forward.

Celebration of Life service for Julie will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday March 15, 2024, at the Pisarski Community Funeral Home 2911 Plover Road Plover. Pastor Dave Ficken will officiate. Visitation on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials in Julie's name may be made to the Humane Society of Portage County 3200 Iber Lane Plover WI 54467.

Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the family. For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com