Julie Colling

Julie Lynn Colling, of Bismarck, passed from this life into the arms of our Lord on Nov. 16^th, 2019, surrounded by her loved ones. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 23, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. A lunch will follow.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 22 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. A rosary/vigil service will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck.

Julie was born in Minot, ND on July 27, 1963.  She graduated from Century High School in Bismarck in 1982.

Her dearest companion was Jesus Christ and her spirituality was a great comfort to others.  She became a Certified Nursing Assistant when she was 15 and spent the next 25 years working at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home.  She decided to chase her dream in cosmetology and once licensed, she worked for JC Penny Styling Salon.  But her true calling in life was caring for the elderly whom she loved.  She went to work for Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center’s hair salons and joyfully styled the residents' hair  for 18 years and in the last few years of her life, Touchmark Living Centers.  Her career gave her satisfaction and she did it all with the love of Christ in her heart.  So many times, she would be stopped in some public place by a family thanking her for caring so much for their beloved.

Julie loved to make people and gatherings feel special and it showed through her efforts.  She was a phenomenal baker and cook.  She showed her love for friends and family through her delectable treats.  Julie always gave so generously of her time and talents to anyone who needed it.  She was the person at the gathering who made it feel more special because she was there.  But her humility and lack of awareness of her specialness was apparent always. 

She was a comfort to so many people throughout her life, especially her dad, Bill Colling.  They were connected at the cellular and soul level from the minute she was born.  They enjoyed a deep relationship all their lives and she was a tremendous comfort to him in his last days. Her niece, Libby and her nephews, Reed, Cole, Logan and Ryker were like her children and she LOVED to spoil them!  Whether it was a $20 slide sneakily in their pocket or bringing them their yearly Christmas pajamas present, she was always thinking of them.

She was a breast cancer survivor and her mother also has cancer.  This disease took many friends and family from her.  She celebrated being cancer-free every year.  Her joyous spirit was contagious and made you feel loved.  She had so many friends from when she was a young girl that carried throughout her life.   Once you’ve met her you know you have met someone very special and you were lucky to be in her circle.  Her best friend, Lisa was like a sister to her as well as Jackie and Betty Lou, who shared Julie’s love of the Lord.  Her cousin, Cindy Chapman, and Julie also shared a deep familial bond and Julie visited her in Washington and her uncle, Bob Colling whom she loved deeply as well as her aunt Rosemary.   Although she’s passed on, the love they all shared knows no boundaries between Heaven and Earth.

In the last few years of her life, she lived with her aging mother and they enjoyed a lot of time together.  Her mom was the lighthouse in her life and Julie always found that light whenever she needed to.  She shared a deep bond with her sister, Jo, throughout her life and they relied on each other constantly.  Julie was the first person she called in times of joy and pain.  Jo was a great solace to her in her last days.  This too is an unshakable bond that transcends death.  She loved her brother very much, Rick, they shared many special times together and he was always helping her in the maintenance of her home.  When Rick’s son Ryker was born, she loved to cook a meal for them and spend time with Ryker.

She is survived by her mother, Mary Colling, her brother Rick, sister Jo (Mike) Kralicek, nephews Reed, Cole, Logan and Ryker, and her niece, Libby and dear friends Lisa Heilman, Jackie Parr and Betty Lou Kary.

She was preceded in death by her father Bill Colling, her uncle Maurice Colling, aunt Barb Colling, her grandparents George and Nellie Colling and Oz and Jo Schmitz.

Family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Bismarck Cancer Center, 500 N 8^th Street, Bismarck in her name.