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Julia Wutzke passed away at age 97 on July 23, 2024.  Funeral will be held 10:30am MT, Monday, July 29, 2024, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Elgin ND.    Rev. Mike HarriSon will officiate and burial will follow at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Elgin.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Monday morning.

Julia Wutzke was born October 18, 1926, to August and Elizabeth (Seidle) Stelter on a farm two miles southeast of New Leipzig, ND.  She was baptized November 28, 1926, and confirmed on July 13, 1941, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, New Leipzig.  She attended Fleck Country School #2 south of New Leipzig, completing first and second grade in one year.  She received many reading certificates because of her love of reading and spelling.  Her love for music included playing the accordion and piano, filling many evenings of family fun.  On weekends, Julia and her dad performed for many dances in the Stelter barn.

She married Oscar Wutzke on October 31, 1943, in the parsonage at Zion Lutheran Church, Elgin.  They made their home two miles southwest of Elgin on the Wutzke homestead.  Julia spent her days being a mother and housewife, raising and selling chickens, eggs, and cream.  Each year she cooked for the threshing crew preparing three meals a day along with two coffee breaks and pastries.  Her huge garden meant lots of canning, in addition to being a helping hand to the men in the field.  Hobbies included embroidery, listening to polka and waltz music, and whist.  Most of all, Julia loved completing crosswords so much so, that she ran pens out of ink.  She entered assisted living in Bismarck ND in 2019 where she enjoyed playing cards and winning at bingo.  Most days, you could also find her sneaking Oreos and chocolate ice cream.

She is survived by son, William (Cheryl) Wutzke Elgin; daughter, Mary (Larry) Rokusek Bismarck.  Grandchildren, Pamela (Allen) Baker Mandan, ND; Scott (Jonna) Wutzke, Bismarck; Sandra (Peter) Fried, Bismarck; Chad Mutschelknaus; and Kimberly Mutschelknaus, Rochester MN.  Great Grandchildren Derek Zimmerle; Landon (Bailey) Wutzke; Madison Wutzke; Aislinn Wutzke; Brady Fried; Gabriele Mutschelknaus; and Mickele Mutschelknaus.  Step Great Grandchild Kayla Baker Grand Forks, ND.  Great-Great Grandchildren, Jovie Wutzke and Graham Wutzke; sister-in-law, Evelyn Stelter and many nieces and nephews.

She is proceeded in death by her husband Oscar; daughter, Dorothy, and son-in-law Roland Mutschelknaus; granddaughter Sara Jo Wutzke; her parents; Sister Frieda Koepplin; and brother Clarence Stelter.  A memorial has been established.

Sympathy cards can be mailed directly to:  William O. Wutzke, 6975 70th Street SW, Elgin, ND  58533.