Obit: Bublitz, Julia L. (1916 – 2015)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bublitz, Paschke, Jackson, Lloyd, Jensen, Heinrich

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 25 Mar 2015

Bublitz, Julia L. (19 JUN 1916 – 18 MAR 2015)

Julia L. Bublitz, 98, Milwaukee, formerly of Greenwood, was born to eternal Life on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. Visitation will be held from 3-6:15 p.m., on Thursday, March 26, at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6840 N. 107th St., Milwaukee. Funeral service will begin at 6:30 p.m. Private interment will be held at Pinelawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church or Time of Grace Ministries are appreciated.

Julia L. Paschke was born in Wood County on June 19, 1916, the fifth daughter of Gustave and Edith Paschke. She was raised in Greenwood and attended school in a one-room school house. In 1936, when Julia was 20, she left the family farm and moved to Milwaukee. In Milwaukee, she worked as a maid until her sister, Alma, helped get her a job in a sewing factory where she made 17 cents an hour. She would occasionally get a break from sewing when the factory sales staff had her model clothing for out of town buyers. On July 31, 1937, Julia married Norman Lloyd Jackson of Greenwood, on the Paschke farm in Greenwood. The newlyweds moved to Milwaukee, and at first stayed with relatives. They were able to save enough money for the down payment on a small house without plumbing. In 1943, they brought their first child, Larry Allen Jackson, home to that house. They continued to fix and sell houses until 1949, when they were able to build a beautiful new brick home. Later that year, Carol Lynn Jackson was born and they brought her to their new home. In June 1953, they added Dale Michael Jackson to the family. A short time later, they found out that Norman was terminally ill. They were forced to sell the house and purchased a duplex. Norman passed nine months later, and Julia was left a widow at the age of 38, with three young children. Times were hard financially, so Julia worked a third-shift catering job near the duplex. She took that job so she could walk home on her breaks to check on her children. Even though Julia faced struggles, she had a very strong faith in the Lord. She said that on her walk to work, she passed a church with a beautiful lit cross on the steeple. Each day she worked, she would look to that cross and pray for God to keep her and her children safe. Julia was a spectacular mother, with a strong faith, and a heart full of love. Despite meager earnings, there was always room at her table for others. In addition to catering, she would take in ironing and rented out a room on the third floor of the duplex. Even though she was always working, she ensured her children were clean and fed and always said their prayers. Julia’s milkman was a gentleman named Gerhard “Jerry” Bublitz. He, too, had lost his spouse. They dated and, in 1958, were married. A year later, Lynn Marie Bublitz was born. Julia always said Lynn was her blessing. In 1967, the family moved to the far northwest side of Milwaukee. Julia became a nurse’s aide and continued working in that profession until her retirement. She continued as a private duty nurse even after retirement until she was 74. She also cared for her husband Jerry, who developed Alzheimer’s and passed in 1988.

Survivors include three children, Carol (Jack) Jensen, Dale Jackson, and Lynn (Jim) Heinrich; a daughter-in-law, Esther Jackson; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren; and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Norman Jackson and Gerhard “Jerry” Bublitz; a son Larry Jackson; a grandson, Norm Jackson; and daughter-in-law Valerie Jackson.