Julie M. Raether

Julia Madeline Raether, 98, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 12, just two weeks shy of her 99th birthday. Julie was born October 29, 1925 in Bloom, Wisconsin to Aaron Jacob Hillishiem and Flossie Mae (Rockwell) Hillishiem. She was the middle child of three daughters.

After high school, Julie moved to Chicago as one of the thousands of "Rosie the Riveters" working at Douglas Aircraft (on the site of today's O'Hare Airport). Julie helped assemble C-54 army transport planes for World War II. Her future husband may well have ridden in a plane that Julie helped build. Following the war, Julie returned to Wisconsin where she met a dashing army pilot just home from overseas. She married Carrol Elmo Raether (known to everyone as "Ray" for obvious reasons) on August 12, 1950.Ray landed a job at Woodward Governor and the young couple moved to Rockford, Illinois where they raised three sons: Gary, Richard, and Brad. Julie and Ray enjoyed travel, including trips to New York and Dallas to see son Richard act on stage. They also enjoyed cards and were sharks when it came to bridge. Julie eventually achieved the rank of Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League. She was also a gourmet cook, who delighted in trying new recipes and was famous for her Christmas cookies.

Julie was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Ray, her sisters Catherine and Charlotte, and her eldest son, Gary, who passed away in April of this year. She is survived by her sons, Richard and Brad, and her grandchildren: Casiena, Josh, Karie Ann, and Amanda. Special thanks go to the kind and compassionate staff of Northern Illinois Hospice and Morningstar Village who cared for Julie in her final weeks. Julie will be missed for her joy, her humor, and her abiding love for her family.