Julie A. Malmgren
Julie Ann Malmgren, retired Springfield educator, passed away November 8, 2022 in Alexandria, Minnesota, after a four-year battle with breast cancer.
Julie was born April 9, 1947 to Rueben and Viola Malmgren. She was baptized and confirmed at the Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota. She graduated with the high school Class of 1965 and continued her education at St. Cloud State University.
Julie accepted a teaching job at Springfield Public Schools in 1969, teaching third grade and later, the sixth grade. She enjoyed educating children. While teaching sixth grade, she was in charge of the school patrol, making sure that the student patrol was trained to keep students safe as they crossed streets by the school. She spent many hours on school buses, supervising class trips and trips to science fairs. She retired several years ago after teaching in the Springfield school system for over thirty years.
Julie was a member of the Springfield United Methodist Church. She directed the children’s choir and sang in the adult choir. She spent many hours serving as a “church basement lady”—setting and clearing tables, making calls for food donations and helping serve many funerals. She was a member of the Springfield American Legion Auxiliary and helped at many steak frys. She also served as an Election judge.
Julie enjoyed going to concerts and plays, long walks, traveling and reading. She read the Minneapolis Star Tribune from cover to cover every day of the week. She kept in contact with numerous friends, meeting for lunch and sending notes and cards. She spent summer months in Parkers Prairie and winter months in Mesa, Arizona.
Julie was a very caring sister, aunt, great aunt and friend and will be missed by many. Her Springfield “adopted” family, the Skarp family, will miss her at Thanksgiving, birthday celebrations, Christmas tree decorating and Saturday suppers.
Julie is survived by her brother Timothy (Joyce); nephews Sjon (Lynette) and Steven (Amanda); and great nieces and nephews Zander, Nevaeh, Brooklyn, Carter and Starr. She is preceded in death by her parents, Rueben and Viola; sister Patty; and grandparents Earl and Helen Penrose and Alfred and Eugenia Malmgren.
A memorial service will be held in the spring.