Julie M. Birk-Betcher

Obituary for Julie Birk-Betcher written by Julie

I, Julie Birk-Betcher, left this world for heaven on August 20th, 2025. I, Julie Marie Birk, was born on April 20th, 1960, to Roger and Janice (Rusch) Birk in Red Wing, MN, the second of four girls known as the ‘Birk Girls.’ I grew up on the family farm learning the values of hard work, taking care of things and setting priorities for which I was very grateful. I was baptized at St. John’s in May of 1960. I graduated from Red Wing Central High School in 1978 and Rochester Vocational College in 1979 and furthered my education at Inver Grove Heights Community College earning a two-year degree in Business.

Mark Betcher and I were married July 23rd, 1983, at St. John’s Church in Red Wing and have three children – Aaron, Zachary (Zach) and Megan who kept us busy but were the crown of a happy marriage and partnership in life.

After a couple of years of short-term jobs, I started as a temporary employee with the S. B. Foot Tanning Company, which ended up becoming a 37-plus-year career. (Twenty years were part-time which I greatly appreciated as we raised our family.) I loved helping ‘the guys (and gals’) with their payroll and HR questions, especially when it came time to retire, which I did December 31st, 2020.

I enjoyed being active in my church volunteering for various committees, choir, coordinating events, chaperoning, helping at the church school and even painting and lawn mowing. I wanted to use the time and talents God had blessed me with in love for what he had done for me. My Mom set an example of helping others even when busy. I was also active in the community volunteering for the Red Wing Traveling Soccer Club, Red Wing Area Seniors, 4-H, Evening Star Quilters, Meals on Wheels, and other opportunities that came up.

I liked to read (thank you to the ladies of the Best of Times Book Club for opening my eyes to different books I would not have picked on my own;) quilt, sew and craft making many things for grandkids and as gifts, walk and explore the outdoors, time putzing in my yard and family get-togethers no matter how small. I had a close bond with my sisters and would have sisters’ getaways (which included Mom) and fun getting together to celebrate events, do projects together or just hang out. I and Mark made traveling a priority to show our kids there was more to the world than just Red Wing, even though we heard the line ‘Are we there yet?’ on our road trips. We discovered so many interesting cultures, food norms and scenery while on our various trips to foreign countries (i.e. Africa, Israel, European Nations) and domestic states. What a gift to be able to appreciate our differences and blessings!

I am survived by my husband, Mark, three children and seven grandchildren – son Aaron and Jamie with Scout and Ryder; son Zachary and Vanessa with Hailey, Brayden, Briggs, Chloe and Reece; and daughter Megan and Tony Long; sisters Cheryl Birk-Perkinson (Oscar (aka Perk); Susan Cushing (Brad) and Darla Reese (special friend Scott Maskrey;) sister-in-law Judy Betcher, Mother Janice Birk, uncles, aunts, numerous cousins, nieces, great-nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors of many years. I was preceded in death by my father, Roger; grandparents Ted and Marie Birk and Reinhard and Ruth Rusch; In-Laws Leonard and Delores Betcher; infant brother, Randy; and Brother-in-Law, Dennis Betcher.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday, August 22 at Mahn Family Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery.

Even though I enjoyed gardening and flowers during my life; I wish you would please consider donating instead to St. John’s Church in Red Wing- Church Elevator Fund or Church Improvement Fund, the local American Cancer Society or Minnesota Alliance for Ovarian Cancer (MOCA) or any outdoor education program for children to teach our kids to look at the natural wonders God has given us and to take care of what He has entrusted to us.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid: for the Lord God is my strength and my defense, and he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

I have found my rest.

P.S. Julie wrote her own obituary before she passed. Though it is a lovely recounting of some of the major details of her life, we as her family feel that it falls short in one way. Julie was too modest to truly share just how special she really was. She mentioned that she loved volunteering. What she didn't mention is that she continued to do so following her cancer diagnosis until she very recently became physically unable to. She was constantly thinking of other people and how she could be a bright spot in their lives or put a smile on their faces. She loved Jesus and she let her light shine in everything she did. Julie's loss leaves us with a hole in our hearts that only Jesus's love can fill.