Julia Kathryn Stewart Bollwinkel

Julia Kathryn Stewart Bollwinkel was born in Terra Haute, Indiana on January 30, 1928 to parents Edgar Clark Stewart (1890-1947) and Teresa Hilda Mahan Stewart (1892-1982).  The youngest of three daughters she remained in close contact with sisters Marigail Stewart Smith (1918-2000) and Bettyjo Stewart Waugh (1923-2018).  The family settled in Kalamazoo, Michigan where her father established the Parson’s Business School.

Julia attended Kalamazoo High School, Michigan State University and the Parson Business School.   She was a member of Theta Alpha Phi, national honorary dramatics sorority. Her academic career was cut short with the death of her father at the age of 57.  She supported her mother as she took over the administration of the Parson’s Business School.

It was in the sorority-fraternity community of MSU that she met and fell in love with Calvin Arthur Bollwinkel, (1925-2014) President of Delta Sigma Phi.  Cal and Julia were married in Kalamazoo on June 3,1950.  They settled in Benton Harbor, Michigan where he began his life long career in radio-television broadcasting.  Their son Mark was born in Benton Harbor (1952).  The family relocated to Ft. Wayne, Indiana shortly after Mark’s birth.   Son Paul (1953), daughters Karen (1958) and Jan (1961) were born in Ft. Wayne.

During their 13 years in Ft. Wayne, Julia was involved in Civic Theater productions. She enjoyed oil, watercolor and acrylic painting producing a number of pieces that remain family treasures.

The family settled in California in 1967, first in the San Francisco Bay Area then in 1969 making Sacramento/Fair Oaks their home. Their network of friendships and volunteer opportunities enriched their lives.  Julia worked outside the home as a Realtor and in the Fine Jewelry department at Weinstocks.  She would proudly describe herself as a “homemaker”.

The family came first.  Paul, Karen and Jan graduated from High School within walking distance of their home.  Friends and associates were frequent recipients of Julia’s hospitality and wonderful sense of humor.  Some of her greatest joy in life came as a grandmother and great-grandmother.  She is survived by Mark and Bonnie’s sons, Daniel and Matthew Bollwinkel; Karen and David’s sons Ian and Evan Drake; and Jan Bollwinkel’s daughter Julia Fenster.  She has three great-grandchildren; Julia and Karl Fenster’s Avery, Calvin and a third on the way; Evan and Kristin Drake’s Declan.

After Cal’s death in 2014, Julia moved into assisted living. The expense and isolation of the COVID pandemic in 2020 made assisted living impractical.  Karen and David welcomed her into their home and took on her immediate care needs.  Their gracious commitment to her care, and the assistance of Ian’s spouse Ari, was a godsend for Julia.   As she entered into hospice care Karen and David ensured her dignity and comfort.

Julia Bollwinkel will be remembered for her gentle spirituality, fierce defense of the underdog, warm sense of humor and devotion to her family.  She taught us many things, especially the nature of love.  We are grateful.

A private family gathering will be held at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, Dixon as Julia’s remains are included with Calvin’s. Donations in memory of Julia may be given to the American Cancer Society.