Julie Rahl

Julianne Reed Rahl, 70, passed away suddenly on Monday, August 1, 2016, at her home in Idaho Falls. Julie was a devoted wife to her late husband Richard (Dick), loving mother, grandmother and friend to countless colleagues, neighbors and former students.

Julie was born May 19, 1946, in Omaha, Nebraska, and was immediately adopted by Kenneth and Alice Reed. She grew up in Beatrice, Nebraska and regularly attended church at Centenary United Methodist Church. She graduated from Beatrice High School in 1964.

After graduating from the University of Nebraska in the spring of 1968, she married Richard George Rahl at Centenary United Methodist Church in Beatrice, Nebraska, on June 8, 1968. They moved to Idaho Falls later that month, where Richard was already employed, and spent the rest of their lives in this community. She had been a member of Hope Lutheran Church since 1968.

Julie began her teaching career at Skyline High School in the fall of 1968 where she taught English until her son was born in 1976. After spending 13 years at home raising their son, Jon and daughter, Gretchen, she returned to her beloved Skyline in 1989 where she enjoyed 22 additional years of teaching until her official retirement in 2011. When she wasn’t enriching the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of youth, she could be found cheering on her children in their sports activities. Even after her children graduated, she continued her role as an active Skyline Booster, supporting extracurricular activities. For her entire teaching career and beyond, Julie attended athletic events regardless of the sport. If there was a sporting event, she would be there cheering on her beloved Grizzlies. Her dedication as a true blue Grizzly was recognized in 2013 when she was enshrined into the Skyline High School Hall of Fame.

In addition to her affinity for Skyline, Julie was a loyal Nebraska Huskers and New York Yankees fan. She was an avid reader and remembered names, dates and birthdays that would astound even her closest friends and family. If you couldn’t remember a child’s birthday, Julie probably had it tucked away in that amazing memory of hers.

The family wishes to thank her former colleagues and students that continued to enrich her life after teaching. She loved to tell us all about a student who had recently reached out to tell her what she had done for them in high school or even later in college or adulthood. It was a regular occurrence and made us proud to have shared her with so many. Julie loved being a grandmother to Megan, Hannah, Lolly and Alex. She spoiled them rotten and loved every minute of it.

Julie is survived by her son, Jon (Amy) Rahl; daughter, Gretchen (Michael) Hroma; and four grandchildren, Megan, Hannah, Lauren (Lolly), and Alex; mother-in-law Helen Rahl. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and devoted friends.

She was preceded by her grandparents; her parents, Alice and Kenneth; Aunt Janet McVicker and Aunt Gladys Marquardt; and most recently her husband, Richard, in June of 2015.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, August 8, 2016, at Skyline High School, 1767 Blue Sky Drive in Idaho Falls. A visitation for family and friends will be held Sunday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave. and Monday from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the high school. Burial will follow at New Sweden Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Westmark Credit Union In Memory of Julie and Richard Rahl. The money will go towards a scholarship being endowed at Skyline High School.

Funeral Services will be held