Julia A. Magrecke

Julia Ann Magrecke (née McCarten and then Nelson) passed away peacefully on May 3rd, 2026. She was surrounded by all of her children.

Julia was born to Edgar and Sophia McCarten on June 28th, 1941, in Wausau, Wisconsin. Her father had been a barber; her mother, a beautician, whose salon occupied the opposite side of the same room as Edgar’s barber shop. Julia worked there, too, as a beautician in her youth giving patrons “permanents.”

Julia received her elementary education at Saint James Catholic School, later attending Wausau High School from which she graduated in 1959. She was a popular child for her sense of humor – an inheritance from her father, who, being a barber, enjoyed access to limitless zingers. Her ebullient spirit, natural athleticism, and heavily ingrained work ethic made Julia an excellent cheerleader (though it is quite possible she might have enjoyed a different sport had one been available to girls at the time).

Julia had many passions. She was a lifelong angler, having spent much of her childhood fishing with her father and growing up on the shores of Lake Wausau and the Rib River. She was a talented cook, whose urge to feed friends and family overruled whether they were actually hungry or not. She was a great fan of British comedies and crime dramas, as well as Jeopardy! (She would never decline a phone call from a loved one, though the caller in question could always sense Julia’s vague air of vexation if they were interrupting Trebek o’clock.) She grew up a devout Catholic, and held only slightly less devotion to the Packers and the Badgers. She enjoyed her career at Marathon Electric, where she began working after having been a stay-at-home mom. She also enjoyed gambling and playing cards, and, more recently, bingo which made her many friends at the senior living community where she spent her final years.

But more than anything, Julia loved to laugh. If you knew her, then you can surely imagine her laughter as you read this. Keep that thought with you. Cherish it. It is a laugh that will ring out no longer save for in our hearts.

Julia was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Charles Nelson (with whom she had five children), second husband Roger Magrecke; and her siblings Michael McCarten, Elizabeth (McCarten) Michlig, and John McCarten. She is mourned in death by her children, Thomas Nelson, John Nelson (wife Suzie Nelson), Joe Nelson (wife Jennifer Nelson), Jennifer Nelson, and Shannon Nelson-Lee (husband John Lee); grandchildren Nicole Lahti, Katelyn Leher, Evelyn Nelson, Hayley Nelson, Madeline Nelson, Michael Nelson, Olivia Nelson, Sarah Nelson, Heidi Schmidt-DesJarlais, and Jenna Slaby; Mary Lou McCarten (wife of sibling, John McCarten), and her darling cat Boo-Boo.

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 9th, 2026, at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, WI 54403. Visitation hours are 1:00 to 3:00 PM, followed by an open invitation for anyone to share stories about Julia’s life. Catered food will be provided. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com