Julie Clair Speer, age 79 of Wilson (Cady Township), formerly of River Falls died Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at her residence following an illness with COPD. Julie was born on September 2, 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa; the daughter of Wallace Clair and Grace (Britton) Carlson. She was raised in Spirit Lake where she attended school until her senior year (1952) when she graduated from Northfield High School in Minnesota. She furthered her education at Stevens College in Missouri.

Julie thoroughly enjoyed her time on the family farm raising Black Angus calves and tending to her gardens in River Falls. She had a great appreciation for the beauty of the outdoors and nature. The neighborhood birds rarely went hungry and her floral gardens were beautifully maintained. Her country home and grounds would have rivaled any in Better Homes and Gardens. One of her greatest loves was renovating her house (formerly Cady Creek School District #8) into a house full of charm and character. Furthermore, she enjoyed sewing and collecting wolf memorabilia.  Julie also enjoyed her time civically spent working for St. Croix County. She served several years as an elected St. Croix County Board of Supervisor sitting on various committees. She was on the board from 1980 to 1990; 1998 to 2010.  She was an ardent Republican who took pleasure in being part of the St. Croix Republican Party. Being politically charged, she wasn’t afraid of a good constructive discussion.

Julie is survived by her children, Kemer (Lisa Murray) Speer of Wilson, and Lisa Speer of Phoenix; grandchildren, Jamie Speer, Ashley Speer, and Taj Speer; great-granddaughter, Iyla Grace; and sister, Lynn Mercer of Illinois. She is preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Peter Carlson.

A time to reflect on the life of Julie Speer will be from 12:00-2:00pm on Sunday, April 6th at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin. Interment will be private. Memorials are preferred. O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Countryside Crematory of Baldwin, WI.