Obituary of Juliann Eugenia Ungs

Juliann “Julie” E. Ungs, 91, of Luxemburg, Iowa, completed her earthly journey on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, surrounded by her loving family, at MercyOne Senior Care in Dyersville, Iowa.

Visitation for Julie will be on Monday, July 15, 2024 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. at the funeral home prior to the funeral service.

 Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church in Luxemburg, Iowa with Rev. Tyler Raymond presiding and Rev. Noah Diehm concelebrating. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Luxemburg, Iowa.

Julie was born on January 24, 1933 in Luxemburg, Iowa, daughter of Mathias G. and Bertha (Oberbroeckling) Maiers. She grew up as the second youngest of nine children on the family farm, receiving her elementary education in Luxemburg and high school in New Vienna. On June 4, 1953, she was united in marriage to Edward N. Ungs at Holy Trinity Church in Luxemburg, Iowa. Ed preceded Julie in death on January 2, 2010.

After living and working in Dubuque after high school, Julie accompanied her new husband Ed, who was freshly graduated from Loras College and drafted as an accountant with the U.S Army, to Fort Knox, Kentucky and Indianapolis, Indiana. She worked as a civil employee for the Army as they started their life together. The young couple later moved back to Luxemburg, where Ed became U.S. Postmaster and worked with his father. Julie and Ed then purchased the family business, naming it Ungs Shopping Center, which continues as a family operation today.

In addition to raising her family and working at the store, Julie was engaged in her local communities through volunteering. She served on boards and committees with her parish and the Catholic school systems of the area, the Dyersville Hospital, the Dyersville Community Foundation and the Dyersville Health Foundation. As the years went on, she also worked “extra” jobs - catering with her dear friend Betty Wilgenbusch at the Avalon in Rickardsville, with Rosie Kruse and the Dyersville Country Club, and with Judy Woods at Fidelity Bank Five Star Club. She was a faithful member of Holy Trinity Parish in Luxemburg and of the Catholic Daughters of America, as well as the Hospital Auxiliary of Dyersville Hospital, which later became MercyOne.

Julie was a very social and fun-loving person. Her children would say she brought the party wherever she went. She had great friends and loved her house to be the gathering spot for family, friends and friends of family! She made sure there was always plenty of food and drinks, especially the “Ungs’ Manhattan” around the bar she and Ed built in their beloved home. She loved to travel with Ed, to attend her kids’ and grandkids’ sporting events, to have coffee with the Luxemburg ladies, and to go regularly to her “Gal’s Club” to weigh in and talk health and diet in Guttenberg (after which they would enjoy pancake breakfasts!) In her later years, she talked with her sister Pat every night after the news and the ball game on TV. She and Rosie Klein of Luxemburg had some great adventures, too, both widows, and sharing grandchildren from the union of their children, Mike and Rhonda. Julie took her faith and fun seriously. Praying the rosary - and occasional trips to the casino - were both favorite pastimes. She prayed the rosary with her children and grandchildren just hours before passing away.

Julie made community everywhere she lived. Her wonderful friends at MercyOne Senior Care, where she spent her last year, joined her for meals, card games, bingo, crafts and more. She loved her Senior Care pals: Nancy, Inez, Catherine – and the wonderful staff that cared for her.

Julie is survived by her six children: Mary (Jens Sogaard) Ungs-Sogaard of Dyersville, IA; Mike (Rhonda) Ungs of Luxemburg, IA; Susi (Randy) Jaeger of Swisher, IA; Shari (John) Greenwood of Peosta, IA; Steve (Jill) Ungs of Cedar Rapids, IA; Shelly (Jack) Harkins of Portage, WI. Julie also leaves behind to cherish her memory her 17 grandchildren Katrina (Joel) Anderson, Kirsten Sogaard,  Abbie (Jeremy) Petsche, Leah (Adam) Krogman, Anna Ungs, Chloe (friend Michael Keegan,) Nic (Jeanne) Jaeger, Melissa (Troy) King, Kimberly (Matt) Arjes, Sara (Wes) Vorwald, Megan (Skyland Felch) Greenwood, Brian (Alissa) Greenwood,) Lisa Greenwood, Samantha Ungs, Alison (Sam) Hoeger, Sam (friend Kori Martens) and Lilly Harkins; 22 great-grandchildren, with one on the way: Axel, Orion, Hannah, Nolan, Reese, Luka, Asher, Landon, Grant, Grayson, Madelyn, Lincoln, Levi, Jack, Eivan, Noah, Liam, Ben, Evan, Everett, Porter, Penelope; her sisters Eldora Pfeiler Pins of Manchester, IA and Patricia Elliott of Madison, WI; her brother Merle (Verna) Maiers of Madison, WI.; her sister-in-law Joanne Ungs of Cedar Rapids, IA and many nieces and nephews.

Julie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her parents-in-law Edward and Rita (Lueken) Ungs; brothers Ralph (Grace), Jake (Norma), John (Frannie) and Jerome (Benedetta) Maiers; sister Vern (Ray) Lucas; brothers- and sisters-in-law Schim Elliott, Matt Pfeiler, Paul Pins, Shirley Hackett and Herb Ungs; her grandchildren Christian Sogaard and Rachel Ungs; and nieces and nephews also sorely missed.

Memorials may be directed to Holy Trinity Church in Luxemburg, IA for its new window project and air conditioning, or to the memorial fund for the family to disperse in Julie’s memory.

Julie’s family would like to extend a deep thanks to all who supported and cared for Julie, especially the staffs at MercyOne Senior Care, MercyOne Dyersville–Dubuque, doctors and staff of Medical Associates, Hospice of Dubuque and the Ellen Kennedy Center. Your wonderful care was remarkable, and so appreciated.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family and information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.  Memorials may be sent to the family, (in care of Kramer Funeral Home) 750 12^th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA  52040.