Julia Catherine Stegeman

Julia Catherine (Vosters) Stegeman, 95, died peacefully and returned to her heavenly home on March 24, 2024. 

Julia was born on May 8^th, 1928, to Herman and Mathilda (Hietpas) Vosters in Little Chute, Wisconsin where she grew up with her four siblings and many aunts and uncles. Julia was a devout Catholic and was influenced by her love and faith in God and her tight knit family to be a loving and caring person. She met Donald R. Stegeman shortly after graduating from High School in August 1945, while he was home on leave from the Navy during WWII. They were united in holy matrimony on June 26^th, 1948 and went on to raise three children together. As a mother she was generous, loving and kind. Later, she would joyfully welcome five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren who she loved to spend time with. 

Julia was a gifted homemaker and enjoyed cooking, baking and sewing for her family. She also had a love of travel, with her treks spanning over five Continents. Her trips to Alaska and the Holy Land being two of her standout favorites.

Julia had the patience of a saint and was an educator at heart. Her career as an elementary teacher, enriching and nurturing the minds of countless young students, spanned over 39 years beginning at Hermsen, a rural one room schoolhouse, followed by years at Combined Locks and Kimberly Elementary Schools, Saint Johns in Little Chute, and Happy Hollow Elementary School in Stevensville. Her professional career cumulated as a Special Education teacher at the Robert Plamann School in Appleton where she was ultimately recognized for 25 years of teaching students with special needs. Julia is a member and held the office of President of both the Delta Kappa Gamma Society and the Retired Educators of Outagamie County.

Julia will be sadly missed by her children: sons: Dr. Ronald (Dona) Stegeman, Janesville, Scott (Katy) Stegeman, Combined Locks. Five grandchildren: Ashleigh (Charles) Thevenet, Dr. Alexander (Stephanie) Stegeman, Dr. Amanda (Dr. Matt) Sonntag, Nicholas Stegeman and Ethan Stegeman. Seven great-grandchildren: Alice and Paul Thevenet, Harrison and Edison Stegeman, and Genevieve, Giuliana, and Gretchen Sonntag. 

She is further survived by her brother: Louis Vosters, sister Bernice (Paul) Boucher, and Sister-in-law Hazel Vosters, and Anna Mae Stegeman and many other dear nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Julia was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years Donald, her beloved daughter Wilma Jean Van Rossum, an infant brother who passed at birth, brothers Marvin Vosters and Urban Vosters. Sister-in-law, Joyce Vosters, Brother-in-law, Harvey Stegeman. Sons-in-law Ernie Cram, and Marvin Van Rossum, and many other dearly beloved friends and family members.

The family asks that if anyone wishes to send a memorial in honor of Julia, that donations be made to The American Heart Association at Heart.org. or to the Saint Ignatius Catholic School, Doty Street, Kaukauna, WI 54130.

Visitation for Julia will take place on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, from 9:30 am until the time of service at 11:00 am at Holy Cross Church (309 Desnoyer Street, Kaukauna, WI). She will be interred at Highland Memorial Park.