Julie Ann Himebauch, 95, of the Town of Waterford, entered into God’s eternal care, at her home surrounded by family on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, leaving behind a life rich in love, hard work, and family.
Her book of life began on Dec. 9, 1930, when she was born at home in Waterford, to Theodore and Ellen (Thompson) Mehring. She was raised on the family farm along with her siblings, Theodore “Bud”, Virginia, Lawrence, Anna Louise, Harold, and Mary Ellen.
At just 14 years old, and a stone’s throw away from where she would call home, she met the love of her life, Arnold. At 17 and 21, she and Arnie were married on April 17, 1948, at St. Thomas Aquinas in Waterford. The matriarch of the Himebauch Family, she and Arnie were married for 65 years before his passing in 2014.
Julie was a devoted farm wife and mother. She and Arnie built a life rooted in land, perseverance, and faith. Together they lived on their generational farm where they raised their four children, Shirley, Kathy, Greg and Dale. She embodied the very meaning of farm wife. She milked cows, raised Angus/Holstein and Hereford/Holstein cross calves and Muscovy ducks, cultivated fields, did the bookwork, and prepared countless meals for the farm crews.
Those who knew Julie, knew how remarkably talented of a seamstress and upholsterer she was. She was known for her skilled hands, attention to detail, and the care she stitched into everything she made. She started with doll clothes and school dresses and moved to prom and bridal gowns. She worked for many years for Heritage Drapery in Burlington, creating beautiful draperies, and bringing furniture pieces back to life for people throughout the community. She volunteered her time making alter cloths and vestments with the St. Thomas sewing group. Her basement and dining room were her workshops. That’s where you would find her working long into the early morning hours and where you would hear her humming along to her favorite classic country songs. Whether it was creating, mending, or restoring, her work was both practical and beautiful and a reflection of whom she was.
Her home-cooked meals were unmatched, and her baking skills were impeccable. After chores, one could always find a hot meal in the oven and a sweet treat cooling on the counter. Her rhubarb crunch and apple pie were among her most desired desserts.
Julie and her friends loved a lively game of bingo, often playing at local churches and civic centers two or three nights a week in her retired years. Her bingo bag had a pin that read “Support bingo, keep Grandma off the street.” She and Arnie enjoyed driving to Dubuque, Iowa, and the Quad Cities, Illinois, for their trips to the casino with their dear friends Hump and Fay, and Wayne and Marge. They thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company and the conversations they had.
She deeply loved farm life, and the simple pleasures of home, but Julie will be remembered most for her warm heart, generosity, and care for others. Nothing brought her more happiness than her 11 grandchildren and 11, soon to be 12 great grandchildren, to which she and Arnie were known as Grandpa and Grandma Moo Cow.
She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Shirley (Dave) Baumeister, Bart (Angie) Baumeister, Bridget (Craig) Stillman, Ada and Sam Stillman, Greg Foat, Casey (Eric Dietz), Elliott Dietz, Cory (John) Mamerow, Beckham Mamerow, Garrett (Ashley) Foat, Harper and Harrison Foat, Greg (LuAnn) Himebauch, Shawn (Angie) Himebauch, Taylor, Brandyn, and Jayde Himebauch, Jami (Brad) Pieniazek, Traci (Ryan) Himebauch, Ben (Kayla) Himebauch, Dale (Kathy) Himebauch, Kellyn (Nick) Shine, George Shine, Ryan (Allison) Himebauch, and Lincoln and baby Himebauch; and numerous nieces and nephews who loved visiting the farm as it was so different from their city lives.
Julie is preceded in death by her parents, husband Arnie, siblings, beloved daughter Kathy Foat; infant granddaughter Jill Jane Baumeister, and special bingo friend, Fay Treffinger.
Julie’s family would like to extend a thank you to Janay wholeheartedly, Julie’s Aurora Hospice nurse, for her compassionate care and kindness. Your gentle presence and sincere support brought comfort and peace during Julie’s final days, and our family will always be grateful.
A memorial gathering will be held on April 18, 2026, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 305 S. 1st St., Waterford, from 9:30 a.m. until time of mass at 11:25 a.m.
The family wishes memorials are made in Julie’s name to St. Thomas Church-Waterford, The Alzheimer’s Association, or the Racine County 4-H Leaders Association Sewing Project.
Services have been entrusted to Integrity Funeral Services. For on-line condolences, please visit www.integrityfunerals.net.