Julie Ann Christianson

Julie Christianson, 72, Blomkest, Minn., died Saturday, Nov. 2, at home.  A celebration of life will be 1-5:00 pm Saturday, Nov. 9 at the Blomkest Community Center. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. 

Julie Christianson was born Julie Bongard in Minneapolis, MN. She grew up along with two brothers and two sisters in several different countries including Japan and Taiwan with her parents who were in the Foreign Service. Julie graduated from Taipei American High School in Taiwan. She returned to Minneapolis to attend Macalester College, and married Frank W. Christianson in 1973.  They farmed in the Blomkest area from 1973 to 1976, when they, along with Frank’s brothers, started Christianson Systems Inc. in Blomkest.  Julie worked at the company as a technical writer during her career, retiring in 1998.  Julie and Frank had two children, Kyran Cadmus who lives with her husband Pete and son Darwin in Fort Collins, Colorado; and Ben Christianson of Blomkest.  Darwin, age 5 ½, was Julie’s only grandchild and a source of great joy and pride for her. Julie enjoyed many fishing adventures with Frank, family and friends in the Midwest and in Ontario, Canada.  A highlight of her travels with Frank was the chance to take a safari trip in South Africa in November 1992.  Julie was a founding member of the famous Blomkest Birthday Club, established in 1968, whose members unfailingly meet monthly and so maintained close and enduring friendships. Their long standing commitment drew the attention of the media, and they reached fame with a front page article in 2015!  After college, Julie worked as a cookbook editor for the Betty Crocker Company in Minneapolis until her marriage.  Her cookbook collection included many that she helped create.  She always used interesting and beautiful serving dishes that she had collected from food photography sessions at Betty Crocker.  An excellent cook, Julie grew a garden to teach a love of vegetables to her children and faithfully preserved the bountiful harvests of wild asparagus and local sweet corn that she and Frank loved.  Her mother, Ruth Bongard, introduced her to collecting decorative eggs, and Julie amassed a beautiful and varied collection over her lifetime. Julie truly loved living in rural Minnesota and cherished her small community and the close friendships and family ties that enriched her life. Julie is survived by her husband Frank of Blomkest, her two children Kyran (Pete) Cadmus of Fort Collins CO and Ben Christianson of Blomkest, and one grandson, Darwin Cadmus of Fort Collins, CO. Julie was preceded in death by her parents Oliver and Ruth (Bosholm) Bongard. 

A celebration of her life will be held at the Blomkest Community Center from 1pm-5pm on Saturday, November 9.

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