Julie Ann Kulsrud, 80, of Lanesboro, Minn., passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at her home after a short battle with cancer.
Born in Decorah, Iowa, on October 13, 1945 to Earl and Marie (Flaskrud) Hegtvedt. She enjoyed growing up on the farm where her life long battle with thistles began. She moved to Minnesota where she attended school in Spring Valley and graduated from Grand Meadow in 1963. She had the honor of being crowned Valentine’s Queen one year and formed lifelong bonds with classmates.
Julie was married to Tom Jeche in September 1963 and welcomed two sons, Dean and Bradley. They were later divorced. She then moved to Preston where she met Roger Kulsrud while working at Doctor Hagen’s office in 1975. Their first date was to the movie “Jaws.” The intense movie worked because they were married a short time later on November 1, 1975. She moved to the Kulsrud farm outside of Lanesboro, and they welcomed two children of their own, Kari and Cyrus.
Julie found her calling in customer service at a young age, helping her father with his tavern and also at the Highway Cafe. This later led her into fine dining where she worked at the Lobster House outside of Spring Valley. In 1971, she started at the Branding Iron in Preston, while also working at Doctor Hagen’s office. Her passion was working on the farm and did that full time once she was married to Roger. She resided on the farm for 50 years. After selling the dairy cattle in 1991, she returned to the Branding Iron where she worked until 2005. During this time she also worked part time at the Garden Grill Holiday Inn downtown, banquets for the Kahler Hotel, and her beloved Mayo Foundation House.
At the young age of 60, she took the leap and opened her very own Mexican restaurant, Los Gables, in Fountain. She set a high standard for work ethic while giving opportunities for those who needed a job. After 13 years at Los Gables, she retired. In the blink of an eye, she returned working at Good Earth Village and Traditions of Preston. She worked at Traditions right up until her diagnosis in 2025.
Julie was a motivated, resolute, determined, and a hardworking woman. Her heart and faith guided her to provide a helping hand and even shelter to people who were in tough spots in life. She was a very personable lady who loved meeting new people, and those people soon became friends that she spent time with.
Her hobby, other than working and the farm, was traveling with family and friends. Her biggest adventure was to Okinawa, Japan and Hong Kong. Other adventures included Jamaica, Mexico, and several U.S. states.
She will always be remembered for her big heart and her friendship that she gave freely.
Julie is survived by three children: Dean Jeche of Fountain, Kari Kulsrud of Lanesboro, and Cyrus Kulsrud of Lanesboro; brother Edwin (Jean) Hegtvedt of Charles City, Iowa, brother Donald (Linda) Hegtvedt of Cedar Falls, Iowa, sister Earlene (Gary) Nelson of Grand Ridge, Fla.; four grandchildren: Tyler Jeche, Travis (Patcharee) Jeche, MacKenzie (Fabriccio) Godoi, and Taylor Erickson; plus seven great grandchildren as well. Many nieces and nephews that were very close to her heart.
She is preceded in death by her parents Earl Hegtvedt and Marie Rindels, her husband Roger Kulsrud, sister Mary Allen, and son Bradley Jeche.
A funeral service will be held Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Union Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Lanesboro, Minn., with Pastor Kurt Bockoven officiating. A visitation will be held an hour prior to the service on Sunday. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A gathering of friends and family for refreshments following in the lower level of the church.
A very special thanks to Mayo Hospice for their care, and special friend, Jessica Holtum-Schwier.
Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Preston is assisting the family
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