Julia Zieman

Julia Annette (Courneya) Zieman, age 63, of Alexandria, Minnesota, passed away on April 12, 2019 at home after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Julie was born on May 16, 1955 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota to Gerald and Margaret (Bjorge) Courneya.  As the youngest of six children, she brought much joy to her family and to all who knew her.  She participated in many activities ranging from gymnastics, track, and basketball to band, baton twirling, and pageants.

After graduating from Frazee High School in 1973, Julie spent a couple of years working as a dental assistant before staying at home with her children.  In 1986, Julie returned to college at Moorhead State University, graduating in 1990.  She later obtained her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Minnesota.  After moving to Alexandria, she taught the gifted and talented program through the Runestone Education District for 25 years and was influential in bringing many academic programs to the Alexandria area, including being a founder of the Math Masters program.   Julie had a love of learning and being challenged.  She was an accomplished poet and author, winning a number of competitions and having her works published.

While Julie’s professional success was important to her, her true mission in life was her family.  She was a loving wife to Bryce Zieman.  Her children and grandchildren were her priority and she would spend countless hours talking and playing with them, telling stories, and attending their plays, games, and other events. Julie was always up for an adventure and traveled extensively with Bryce, her children, her  grandchildren, and other family.

Julie is survived by her husband, Bryce Zieman; her three children, Courtney (Daniel) Grimsrud of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Jason (Julia) Hanson of Perham, Minnesota, and Kallie Zieman of Alexandria, Minnesota; her six grandchildren, John, Margaret, and Edward Grimsrud, and Daphne, Aidan, and Liam Hanson; four siblings, Judy (David) Zak, Steve (Carole Lee) Courneya, Dennis Courneya, and Tim (Faye) Courneya, and many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.  She is predeceased by her parents, Gerald and Margaret Courneya, her sister Cathy Scott, and her nephew Casey Courneya.

Donations in Julie's memory to the American Cancer Society and Minnesota DFL are welcome and appreciated.