It is with a heavy heart that we share the untimely and unexpected passing of our beloved Julie Brienen. Julie, 59, was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has been a longtime resident of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Julie is survived by her husband Walter, her in-laws, six children, three grandchildren, and one great grandson. Let us not forget, five of her award-winning bloodline Cavaliers King Charles Spaniels.

What does a family do when it loses its Matriarch? That’s the question we all have been asking ourselves since Sunday. Julie wasn’t just the nucleus of the family, but glue that held together ALL of her families. Her group of lifelong friends, her dog club, and the myriad of people she’s helped throughout the years. She taught all of us how to love selflessly and love endlessly. Never a complainer, she approached each obstacle in her life as nothing more than a slow in the road. With her trademark long curly “blondish” hair, her megawatt smile, easy laughter, and punishing hugs, Julie made everybody she met feel like they’ve long been friends. She was accepting to all.
 
Due to COVID-19 and the “shelter in-place” we cannot have a funeral at this time, so Julie will be cremated and a memorial will be held in her honor after our country overcomes today’s situation. Everyone who has extended the goodwill gesture and asked, “What can I do to help?” In lieu of flowers, meal trains, and many other kind gestures that require in person visits, I am creating this fundraiser in her honor and for the benefit of her husband, Walter. Unfortunately, Julie’s generosity to others has left a remarkable amount of debt and that debt now falls on the shoulders of Walter. Having just lost a good friend last week and now his wife, Walter would never ask for financial assistance. While Julie was always helping others, she didn’t always take care of things for herself. She always felt she had time to get things in order. 
 
Let us honor the magnificent Julie, by showing Walter that she is, and will forever be, held in our hearts. Walter is going to have to cover the costs of her death, the planning of a future memorial, the delivering of her ashes to her favorite location in the world (Savannah, GA) and we would like to continue her acts of kindness and honor many of her planned endeavors. A couple of weeks ago, Julie was in the beginning stages of setting up a policy to protect the future of her newborn great grandson, Oliver.


If you knew Julie, you know her heart. If you did not have the privilege of being welcomed into her warm embrace, we would like you to know more about the amazing woman she was:
 
·     Due to her crazy curly hair, one of her sons nicknamed her “Mop.” Together with her husband, who doesn’t have as much hair… they were coined “Mop and Bop.”
·     She loved to drive fast. Well, she used to love to drive fast… you know, aging. ;)
·     She was proceeded in death by her father (Will), mother (Shirley-D), her brother Jim (Tomahawk Tornado) due to cancer and her first husband (David) due to a freak work accident.
·     Julie loved breeding, training and “showing” her “babies.” No, not her children, but her Cavaliers. Julie learned the business from the ground up and became well known for the award-winning pedigree of her pups.
·     She always put others first and those who were privileged to know her, knew her infectious laugh, strong hugs and kisses (One of those motherly kisses where the smack pierces your eardrum).


This campaign is dedicated to the benefit and future of Walter Brienen. Please give whatever you can toward ensuring Walter can finally complete the large “honey do” list which was constantly being modified. There is no amount that is too small.  All funds raised will be administered by Julie’s son Joshua and go exclusively toward Walter’s costs to probate her estate, cremation, memorial celebration, and the spreading of Julie’s ashes.
 
Finally, as a last request, we ask that you allow for Julie’s passing to be a catalyst for doing good in the world. Be kind to the people in your life and be kind to those you do not know. Julie believed in community and she would be “tickled” (her words) if everybody simply took a moment to express to others, what they mean to them. Don’t put it off until tomorrow. If you can, mend those broken relationships, communicate your feelings and simply love those who are dear to you.

Please visit Julie's:
Obituary: https://www.bruchfuneralhome.net/obituary/julie-brienen

Online Memorial: https://www.forevermissed.com/julssavanna

Thank you.