Julie Ann Nickels

Julie Ann Nickels, age 67, passed away on March 11, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. The beloved daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth Kretsch, Julie was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on August 8, 1957 — a special birthdate she shared with her father.

Julie attended St. Andrew Catholic School and graduated from Lincoln High School. Following high school, she moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where she met her future husband of 45 years, Michael Nickels. Despite losing their return airline tickets and running low on funds, Julie and Michael became engaged during a backpacking trip across Europe. They were married in 1980 and settled in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where they purchased their first home overlooking the shores of Lake Michigan. It was in Sheboygan that they welcomed their three children and where Julie formed many lasting friendships. The city of Sheboygan and Lake Michigan remained an especially significant place for her.

In 1991, the family relocated to Appleton, Wisconsin, where Julie devoted herself to raising their children. She was an active volunteer and a constant presence at school and athletic events. Julie’s love for baking, particularly breads and pies, became well-known among family and friends. She cherished her role as a mother, and later, as a proud grandmother.

Julie is survived by her husband; their three children and their families: Thomas (Christine) of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; Dr. Eric (Dr. Sarah Dabagh) of Los Angeles, California; and Joseph (Joyce Chen) of Bellevue, Washington. She is also survived by her three grandchildren: Benjamin, Soraya, and Cameron, as well as her mother, Elizabeth. Julie was predeceased by her father, Patrick.

A celebration of Julie’s life will be held in the summer of 2025.

A lover of animals, Julie will be dearly missed by her Labrador Retrievers, Maggie and Tucker. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, an organization Julie supported