Julie was born on October 11, 1972 in Lincoln, NE to Judith and Harvey Joe Weyand. Julie attended Wahoo Public High School graduating in 1992. She received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Education and Human Services from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and a Master of Arts for Teachers from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
Julie began her teaching career with Lincoln Public Schools in 1998 teaching mathematics first at Hawthorne Elementary School to sixth grade students. She also spent time teaching at Scott Middle School and Mickel Middle Schools. While teaching, Julie also was selected to participate in the first group of the UNL Math-in-the-Middle Instruction program. She graduated from this program with her masters degree in 2006. She later became an instructor for this program and enjoyed sharing her love of teaching mathematics and lesson planning to many fantastic teachers. Julie helped to launch the Lincoln Area Teachers Mathematics Circle groups in 2007. Julie transitioned from teaching in the classroom daily to that of the Lincoln Public Schools Middle School Math Coordinator until her retirement in July 2022 due to her ALS disability. During her education career, Julie was also an active member of the Nebraska Association of Teachers of Mathematics (NATM) and enjoyed presenting with her coworkers at a variety of math conferences around the country. She was awarded the 2023 Milton M. Beckman Lifetime Achievement Award for her Contribution to the Improvement of Mathematics Education in the State of Nebraska during the 2023 NATM Annual Conference.
On March 19, 1994, Julie married Clifford Kreizel at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE.
From this union they were blessed with three children, Linzie Noel, Logan James, and Lexie Louise. Julie so dearly loved her children and was willing to do anything and go anywhere for them, regardless of her condition. She was ever and always present at their events and competitions. Her love of competition and sports was also another one of her characteristics. Watching all of her “kiddos” compete in the pool, on the court or field, or on the track, you could always count on her recognizable voice ringing out over the competition. Her smile was larger than life when they entered the room – even when she was hurting from her ALS condition.
Julie’s LOVE of her Lord Jesus Christ was her greatest love of all! Her Faith has always been inspirational for those who knew her and all others who ever interacted with her. She was always been active at church (Our Redeemer Lutheran in Wahoo, NE as a child and Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln as an adult). Her contributions to a church worship service are probably too many to list but here we go – whether it was playing her clarinet in the youth Christmas program as a child, singing in the Redeemer Choir, leading the children’s opening for Sunday School, coordinating the music of a Summer Vacation Bible School, or directing the annual children’s Christmas worship service – her LOVE of Jesus, her church families, and everyone she could witness to was clearly evident to all. In 2022, Julie was awarded the Lumen Christi Award as part of the English District LCMS Gala. This is an award to publicly recognize an educator’s service and to promote and encourage all professional and volunteer leaders/teachers who are active members of an English District LCMS congregation.
Family was also always important to Julie. She loved her immediate family fiercely and her extended family intensely. Her brother Joel (wife Tami), sisters Jaclyn (husband Mike) and Jill (husband Lee), many nephews, nieces, and cousins were always on her heart and mind. Anytime that she could spend with them was precious and so meaningful. Our annual family vacation to Minnesota at the end of the summer was her favorite way to spend time together. She loved sitting at the wall and watching all of the activity.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, uncles, aunts, and nephew.
Her memory and Love of her Lord is cherished and will be kept alive by her husband Cliff, her children Linzie (husband Caleb Stratmoen), Logan (Kate), Lexie (Bailey), her grandson Carson Henry Stratmoen, her parents Joe and Judy Weyand, siblings Joel (Tami Weyand), Jaclyn (Mike Tungesvik), Jill (Lee Fiddler), nephews Jonah, Jaxon, Miles, Abel, Ty, Kolt, Kruz, Daniel, Patrick, nieces Jayda, Addie, Kiralyn, and Megan, great-nephews and great-nieces, cousins and others who she has a touched on her journey.
A visitation will be held Thursday, June 6th from 4-8pm at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel (4300 O Street, Lincoln).
A funeral service will be held Friday, June 7th at 10:30am at Redeemer Lutheran Church (510 S. 33rd Street, Lincoln).
Memorials in Julie’s memory can be made to the following:
ALS of the Heartland
1320 S. 119th Street, Omaha, NE 68144
Team Gleason Foundation
1450 Poydras Street Suite 2550, New Orleans, LA 70112
Redeemer Lutheran Church
510 South 33rd Street, Lincoln NE 68510