Julia Rose Kotyza, of Kewaunee, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, on the very day of her 98th Birthday.

Julie was born on August 18, 1928, to the late Joseph G. and Josephine (Blahnik) Fiala. She graduated from Kewaunee High School in 1946. After losing her mother at an early age, Julie spent her teenage years living and working for Pearl and Elmer Vlach. Initially hired by Pearl and Elmer to care for their son, Bob, she formed a profound bond and lifelong friendship with the family that endured throughout her life.

Julie married the love of her life, Joseph "Joe" Kotyza, on June 17, 1950. Together they raised six children and were happily married for 65 years. Joe preceded her in death on June 6, 2015.

As her children grew and became self-sufficient, Julie chose to embark on her own professional journey. Through dedicated study at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, she earned several nursing-related certificates. She later found her calling at the Kewaunee Health Care Center, where she served faithfully as a medical records clerk until her retirement.

Julie was a devout Catholic who never missed Mass. Her faith was an important part of who she was and guided her throughout her life. She was a lifelong member of Holy Rosary Parish and a dedicated volunteer supporting the local Kewaunee elder care and parish community network for many years.

Julie and Joe loved to travel, especially their many "Up North" bus trips. They were dedicated members of the Happy Hoppers Dance Club and enjoyed dancing throughout the year. Dancing was such a part of their lives that even when there was no band playing, they could often be found dancing together in their living room in front of the television.

Julie had a wonderful sense of fun and several favorite pastimes that brought her great joy after retirement. She was remarkably lucky at bingo, which became a weekly highlight during the three months she and Joe spent in Florida each winter. She also enjoyed sewing, canning, playing cards, and watching Judge Judy.

Although Julie always said that she wanted to live to be 100, she lived 98 years and her life touched generations of family and friends. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be remembered for her strong faith, her determination, her love of family, her enjoyment of music and dancing, her lucky streak at bingo and her beautiful gift for making the most out of every little thing and finding creative ways to stretch a dollar.

Survivors include her two children, Jo (Henry) Waechter and Kay (Jeff) Stoeger; eleven grandchildren, Matthew Meyer, Chad Kruse, Tim Seidl, Kathleen Stoeger VanLannen, Dawn Seidl Adamski, Kevin Kotyza, Ryan Stoeger, Dustin Kotyza, Melanie Meyer Becker, Tony Stoeger, Markki Meyer Falconer; and thirteen great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph "Joe" Kotyza; her children, Jeanne (Bernie) Scheler, Patti (Peter) Seidl, Kenneth (Wendy) Kotyza and Tommy Kotyza; her parents, Joseph and Josephine Fiala; her sister, Verna Witcpalek, along with other family members.

A visitation will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm at Kinnard Funeral & Cremation Services - Kewaunee. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:00 pm at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Kewaunee with Deacon Chuck and Msgr. Jim Dillenburg officiating. A private family Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Holy Rosary Parish in Kewaunee in memory of Joe and Julie Kotyza.

Kinnard Funeral & Cremation Services is assisting the family. Online condolences can be shared at KinnardFCS.com.

The family would like to thank Mary Kay Messmann and her wonderful, caring staff at Linden Manor and Unity Hospice for the compassionate care given to Julie while she was with them.