Julie Kragness Nalepka

Julie Lorraine Kragness Nalepka, 67, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Julie was born June 26, 1958, in Minneapolis to Allen and Lorraine Kragness. She loved spending her early childhood in North Minneapolis, where her family lived for many years across from North Commons Park. Her days were filled with neighborhood adventures, including skating, sledding, playing kick-the-can, and spending long days hanging outside with the kids from the large families in the area. Julie was a fiercely loyal sister and a dedicated friend.

Julie attended Ascension Catholic School, where she formed many lifelong friendships. In 1972, her family moved to Fridley, where she attended Fridley High School. Julie was a gifted athlete, and she excelled in volleyball, basketball, softball, and track. She received the Athena Award in 1976, recognizing the school’s top female athlete. On August 6, 2018, she was inducted into the Fridley High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Julie earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Minnesota in 1981 and began her teaching career at Holy Cross Catholic School. She continued her teaching career in Loretto and in Columbia Heights. While working and raising her family, Julie was a part-time student and earned her master's degree in special education from the University of Minnesota. She was instrumental in setting up the special education evaluation team for the Anoka-Hennepin School District, where she retired from in 2017.

Julie met her husband, Dan (future Minneapolis Firefighter), when they were both working at Bottineau Park in NE Minneapolis. They married in October 1983, and they celebrated their 42nd anniversary last summer at a special surprise party put on by their children, Dan, Matt, and Christine.

Julie and Dan lived NE as newlyweds and moved their young family to Fridley 40 years ago, where they became fixtures in the community. She was a devoted mom who made sure schoolwork got done while also juggling practices, games, coaching, and school/community activities. She was the family glue. Julie’s love of education inspired her children, who all earned teaching degrees. At one point, all three were teaching in the Math Department at Fridley High School.

A devoted Minnesota Lynx fan, Julie and Dan had season tickets for several years. Julie was a strong supporter of the arts and an accomplished artist. She enjoyed making stained glass, painting, macramé, beading, and other fun projects. Her backyard flower garden was full of feeders and a birdwatcher’s dream.

Julie adored her three grandchildren, Joshua, McKenzie, and Madelyn, and treasured the time she spent with them. After Julie and Dan retired, they began traveling and enjoyed visiting their daughter in Philadelphia as well as cruises and trips to Cancun.

Those who knew Julie will remember her warmth, generosity, and her signature phrase: “Rock on.” She is a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. Her Caring Bridge site, Jules "WHOOP THIS THING!" inspired so many. She remained cancer-free until this February 26, when she was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer that had spread to her stomach and lung. This didn’t stop Julie from attending her daughter Christine’s wedding to Nolan Dymszo on March 29 in Cancun. After she had her second treatment on April 6, an infection attacked her immune system, and she went into septic shock. While we are all heartbroken by Julie’s death, we take comfort knowing that she is now at peace.

Julie was preceded in death by her parents, Allen and Lorraine (London) Kragness; brother, Edward; and sister, Carol Kragness Fox.

She is survived by her husband, Dan; her children Dan (Jenny) Nalepka and their children Joshua, McKenzie, and Madelyn; Matthew Nalepka, and Christine (Nolan Dymszo) Nalepka; siblings, Lucy (Robb Hermanson) Kragness, Joel Kragness, Loretta Kragness, and Michael Kragness; brother-in-law, Mike Fox; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and former students.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, at St. William Catholic Church in Fridley.  Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. at the church.  A luncheon will follow.  Private family interment will take place at Gethsemane Cemetery in New Hope, MN.

Friends and family are welcome to sign the online guestbook.