Julie Kay Cunningham Mathiason
Julie passed from this life on December 21, 2010, just in
time to celebrate Christmas with her beloved mother and her
Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven. In spite of her present joy
("In the presence of the Lord is fullness of joy." -Psalm
16:11), Julie will be missed by her beloved husband Kim, her
children Matt (Karen), MacKay (Leslie) and her
grandchildren, Ashley, Kaitlyn Kay and Noah. "Nanner" meant
the world to them.
Julie was born December 13, 1957, to George and Ellen
Cunningham in Billings. Her childhood world was filled with
love and teasing from her brothers, Jim (Kim) and Larry
(Priscilla). In adulthood, they shared many laughs and
stories about their rather eccentric neighborhood and their
Grandma Goldie. At an early age, Julie accepted Jesus as her
Lord and Savior. Her oft stated goal in life was that her
entire family would be with her in Heaven.
Julie graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1975.
She found her professional calling in the banking industry
and served as a teller in several banks over her working
career. As in her personal life, she shared her love of the
Lord with her customers and every year took Thanksgiving and
Christmas dinners to the elderly and infirm. In the words of
one of her co-workers, "Her customers adored her."
Julie is also survived by her six nieces and nephews, one of
whom, Laura, wrote these words of remembrance: "We will miss
her exuberant, joyous laugh… Every time I watch Chevy Chase
in Christmas Vacation, The Three Stooges, or Lucille Ball, I
will remember my aunt who, though her life was not always
easy, exalted in and loved the parts of life that were
strange, but hilarious."
Julie and Kim married January 6, 1978 and enjoyed spending
time in the great Montana outdoors. They rode horses
together, traveled the back roads of Montana, especially in
the Lewistown area, and hoped one day to retire there. Julie
loved the holidays and was a cook extraordinaire. Her
barbecued ribs, shrimp cocktail and dozens of Christmas
cookies were the work of her tender hands and loving heart
on behalf of all in her family. Julie, how will we do
without your incredible potato salad at our summer picnics?
So many family and friends will have an empty spot in their
hearts this year, but especially Julie's Uncle Ben and Aunt
Lela. As Ben said, “We expect to lose our parents and older
relatives, but to lose one of our children... ."
Julie, you were one of our crown jewels. Thanks be to God
that he gave you to us to brighten our lives, if, from our
human perspective, it was for too short a time. We look
forward to a precious reunion and picnic with you on the
banks of that Heavenly river someday.
The entire family expresses profound thanks to Dr. Morone and all the wonderful nurses and staff at Billings Clinic who tenderly cared for Julie and her family during her illness.
A funeral service will be held in Julie's honor at Faith Evangelical Church, 3145 Sweetwater Drive, Monday, December 27, 2010, at 1:00 P.M. Internment will immediately follow the service at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
Julie,
Julie, Julie, what a dear friend. I first met Julie and Kim when I
opened my Seafood store in 1983, what a wonderful couple. I will sure
miss our visits at the bank. God Bless her, and may her family be
blessed at this time of sorrow.
Dick, and Kathy
To Julie's family, I'm so sorry for your
loss. The news really made my heart sad. I have wonderful memories
of working as leaders at Awana at First Alliance with Julie. Then I
was lucky enough to bank at first Interstate in the heights where
Julie worked. I would go in to the branch and wait for her teller
window to be open because I only wanted to see her. She was always
so full of love and advise for me. She would even say a prayer with
me even if people were waiting in line. She truly loved the Lord and
cared that every person would get to know Him also. I was blessed to
know her and it will no longer be the same walking in to that bank.
To her sons, Julie talked about you every time I saw her. She loves
you so much and that was her constant prayer she would say with me
was for our children. She was such a beautiful person and will
really be missed.
Christine Hawkins and Family
It was with shock and great sorrow that I
read of Julie's passing this morning. She was a truly kind, gentle,
and good-to-the-core person. If our world only had more Julies we
would all live in peace, love, and harmony. I will so miss those
summertime visits over our backyard fences. My heart goes out to you
- Kim, Matt, and MacKay and your families.
Sincerely, Jan Frost
“No, I will wait for Julie.” That is what all
of her coworkers think of when we think of Julie. The beautiful
person, who touched everyone; from her family, to her friends, to
her coworkers, to her customer’s lives. She touched my life in so
many different wonderful ways. From the time I was a teenager, to
becoming a wife, to becoming a mother, Julie was always there for me
as a friend, a sister and a mother. She reminded me many times that
she served coffee at my wedding and she came to visit me at the
hospital after both of my children were born. Those are three very
special times that I shared with Julie that will always be close to
my heart! She could always make us laugh and laugh, but she was the
first person to be there if we needed a hug. Julie’s faith was
stronger than anyone I know. She knew she had her place with the
Lord and awaited the day she would be with Him and reunite with her
mother. She loved the Hymn “When we all get to Heaven”. I know she
is rejoicing and when she saw Jesus He had His place prepared for
her and she sang and shouted the victory as the pearly gates opened
as she treaded the streets of gold. Now it is Julie’s turn to wait
for us. We will meet her again one day and she will be there with
the same open arms she had for all of us when she was here on Earth
with us. Thank you for the many wonderful memories! I will cherish
every one of them! The Lord received a very special angel in you! I
love you Julie!
Kim, Matt and MacKay, I send you my love, hugs and prayers. May the
Lord hold you close to Him and wrap his arms around you in your very
difficult time. You will always be a part of our family!
All of our Love, Michelle, Kelly, Trenton and Kylee Lambert
I am shocked and so very saddened at the news of Julie’s passing. Julie and I were great friends during high school and worked together in the kitchen at Deaconess Hospital. We used to get into trouble because her laugh was so loud—she would get me going and soon we were uncontrollable! What fun she was! In recent years she would sing Barry Manilow songs to me when I’d go to the bank. Earth has lost a precious friend/wife/mom/grandma/sister but Heaven has gained a joyous soul! My heart hurts for Kim, the boys and grandkids and all who knew her. We can all consider ourselves to be better people for her having touched our lives. May God give her family strength and comfort at this most difficult time. Althea Kober Farley
My heart is so sad for us, yet so happy for Julie. She is dancing with Jesus! Working with her was a joy, and she always said we must have been twin sisters separated at birth. She was a great co-worker and so full of joy to be around. She was also the best cat sitter we could have trusted Clawed to. Not only would she feet the cat, but she would walk around the house to leave footprints in the snow, adjust all the blinds, and leave various lights on to make it look like we were home and not away on vacation. Julie knew how to make my heart smile! Her life was her family. How blessed are those people lucky enough to know Julie. My prayers are with her family and friends. We will get to hear her laugh again in heaven.
Julie will surely be missed, Her sense of humor was wonderful, To know Julie was to love her. Debbie Mauch
I met Julie when she was working as a teller at First Interstate Bank. When she found out I was a veterinarian, she recognized we shared a common bond. Every time I came into the bank I looked forward to hearing the "Hi, Doc!" and then came the cat stories. I would listen to her stories about her furry "children" and their antics with great anticipation and amusement. What a special lady! I will surely miss Julie's smile and warm, caring personality. She always made me feel glad I came into the bank and I always left happy.....in spite of the 0.5% interest rate. I wish I had known her better. I will look forward to her resurrection during the kingdom rule of Jesus Christ and then we can share more animal stories in that promised peaceful new world. With sympathy for her family........ Craig Kiner
I always “waited for Julie,” as other
customer friends have said. I met her when I moved here 4 years ago,
and she was always a friendly face, concerned for my health, sharing
with me about our similarly-named sons, cat stories of Eeky Beeky
and my kitties, and (most of all) sharing our love of the Lord. She
said every day how she couldn’t wait to be with Jesus. While she was
here on earth with us, she was a bright shining light indeed. I
loved her sense of humor and her compassion. Now she is dancing with
her Lord in heaven, but we (especially you, her family) are missing
her here on earth. I’ll be praying for you all, as you cope with
your loss. She was a lovely gift to us all.
Jan, EquipNepal