Julia Soland

Wednesday, May 29, 2024 6:53 am

Julia Soland, age 101, of Decorah, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024, at her home in
Decorah.
Her funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the Washington Prairie Lutheran
Church, 1725 Washington Prairie Road in rural Decorah, with Rev. Peter Kowitz presiding. Burial will
be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the service on Saturday morning at the church. The Helms
Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Julia was born Ocg. 1, 1922 in Springfield Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa to John Halverson and
Hilda (Orvella) Halverson. She was baptized on 19 Nov 1922 at Washington Prairie Lutheran
Church. She attended Nordness School in Nordness, Iowa and graduated from Decorah High
School on May 28, 941. Julia was a lifelong member of the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church,
Decorah.
Julia married Ernest Gilbert Soland on New Year’s Eve, Dec 31, 1943 at the Washington Prairie
Lutheran Church, Decorah. Ernest was the son of Embret and Louise (Arness) Soland. Three
children were born to this union: James Ernest Soland (died 14 Aug 2002); Joan Landenberger of
Denver, Iowa; and Mark Soland of Decorah.
Julia came from a family of six siblings and Ernie came from a family of six siblings. So, the families
were big back then. They lived on the family farm which Ernie grew up on which had been in the
family for over 150 years. Ernie’s siblings had a great love for that farm and visited often with their
families. Julia was always a gracious host and opened their home up with open arms. So many
wonderful memories of family gatherings. Most of the kids had to learn how to bale hay if they were
there in the summer. It wasn’t all play, they had to work too.
Julia and Ernie started out with one cow and slowly added to their herd. Hard times during WWII.
Julia loved her farm life and drove their gator around the farm into her late 90’s. She helped with
some of the field work and helped milk cows’ morning and night. She was noted for her stash of
cookies in the freezer. She always tried to have the children’s favorites waiting for them in the
freezer. And she was still helping bake at 101 years old. Julia was always noted for her blackcap
jelly. Relatives were always hoping to take a jar of jelly home with them. Julia’s breakfasts were
always something the relatives looked forward to also.
Julia was an active member of the Washington Prairie Ladies Aid and her church circle until her
health didn’t permit. They served many Nordic Fest suppers and served lunches for funerals. Julia
patiently waited for the newspaper to come every day, because she loved the “Word Jumble” and
the Sudoku puzzles. And she solved those puzzles up until the last few weeks of her life. She was
noted for her tied quilts. Nothing fancy, but a comfort to all her grandchildren. Some of the quilts had been washed and were hanging by threads, but still they used them and found comfort in their
gift from Grandma.

Julia was given a sweatshirt with “Great Grandmother” printed on it, which she wore proudly. Each
child, grandchild, great-grandchild, and great-great grandchild tried to be “Grandma’s Favorite!” Tshirts were printed and worn proudly. A fun rivalry between relatives. Her refrigerator was plastered
with pictures of her favorites in their T-shirts. Julia will truly be missed.
Julia is survived by one daughter, Joan Landenberger; one son, Mark Soland (Rhonda Boe); and one
daughter-in-law, Yvonne Soland-Stoddard; a brother-in-law, Eugene Soland and wife Wanda (Gish)
Soland, and a sister-in-law, Ann Soland. Grandchildren: Brittney (Soland) Dupuis and husband
Richard Dupuis; Mandy (Soland) Quick; and husband Jeffrey Quick; Danielle (Soland) Spigarelli and
husband David Spigarelli; Joshua Soland; Calli (Landenberger) Boeckmann; Nikki (Landenberger)
Severson and husband Marcus Severson; Heather (Soland) Ollendick and husband Dave Ollendick,
Jason Soland and wife Jen (Hall) Soland; Travis Soland and wife Kristin (Gerzema) Soland. GreatGrandchildren: Austin Dupuis and wife Alexis (Vodden) Dupuis; Reece Dupuis; Alianna Quick;
Raven Spigarelli; Colt Boeckmann; Carter Severson; Kasyn Severson; Jonathan Berland and wife
Brook (Bodermann) Berland; Michael Ollendick, Olivia Ollendick; Erica Ollendick; Quinn Soland,
Charlie Soland; Landon Soland; and Peyton Soland. Great-Great Grandchildren: Lenora Berland;
Benjamin Berland; Maeve Dupuis.
Surviving Nieces and nephews: Ardy (Espe) Steine and son Toni Martin and his children; Yvonne
(Espe) Cary and husband Bill Cary and their children; LeAnn (Giesking) Espe and family; Edward
Espe and his wife Deb Espe and their children; Pearl (Haugen) Hamilton and husband Roger
Hamilton and their children; Brenda Falck and her family; Randy Falck and his family; Deb
(Halverson) Larson and husband Dennis Larson and their children; LeEtta (Halverson) Choi and
husband Kit Choi and their children. Niece Janice (Reed) Hellman and husband Ted Hellman and
family, nephew James Reed and wife Mary Reed and their daughter. Karen (Soland) Wilson and
husband James Wilson and their children, sister-in-law Ann Soland and her children Linda (Soland)
Sterbenz and husband Jeff Sterbenz and family; Trudy Soland and her family; Gary Soland and Jody
(Auman) and their family; Cindy (Soland) Bergh and her family; Kathy (Soland) Titchbourne and
husband Robert Titchbourne and family; Lisa (Soland) Stilwell and husband Deryk Stilwell; and
Bryan Soland and his family. Niece Julie (Soland) Ford and husband Robert Ford and family;
Michael Soland and wife Joan (Wilkinson) Soland and family; and Dan Soland and wife Dottie
(Thorn) Soland and family. Nephew Robert Soland and his wife Jennifer (Treder) Soland and family,
Brenda (Soland) Menadelook and her family.
Julia was preceded in death by her parents, John and Hilda Halverson; her husband, Ernie Soland.
and one son, James Soland. Her sisters Hazel (Halverson) Espe and husband Robert Espe; Clara
Halverson; Gunhild Rebecca Halverson; Elsie (Halverson) Haugen and husband Ivan Haugen;
brother Orville Halverson and wife Dorothy (Flaskerud) Halverson and their son Kevin Halverson.
Nephew Roger Espe and his son Jay Espe; nephew Gene Espe; great-nephew Tony Martin; niece,
Irene (Haugen) Falck and her husband Harold Falck; nephew James Haugen; and grandson,
Zachary Soland.