Julia Mathern

Julia Mathern, 90, Edgeley, ND passed away peacefully on Monday, April 24, 2006 at Manor St. Joseph, Edgeley.

Julianna Schatz was born October 23, 1915, on the family farm near Zeeland, ND, the daughter of John and Margaret (Seiler) Schatz. She attended school through the 8th grade at Artas, SD. Julia married John Mathern on October 5, 1937 at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Zeeland, ND.

John and Julia worked in Grand Forks, ND from 1938 to 1940. They then moved to a farm near Edgeley, ND where they farmed and operated a dairy. In 1979, they purchased the Berlin Bar, Berlin, ND where Julia established a reputation for her wonderful lunches. In 1983, they retired from farming, moved into Edgeley, and built the first Big John's Bar & Grill. After selling the first establishment and toying with the idea of retiring, they reconsidered, and in 1990 built the second Big John's Bar and Restaurant, which they operated until 1999. In March of 2005, John and Julia moved into the Manor St. Joseph, Edgeley, ND.

Julia was a member of Transfiguration Catholic Church, Edgeley, and an honorary Lifetime Member of the Altar Society. Through 69 years of marriage, she supported her husband in all of his endeavors, as they worked side by side.

Survivors include her husband, John; 7 sons, Vernon, Mesa, AZ, Richard (Lona) and Gerald (Nancy), both Edgeley, ND, Ken (Diane) Longmont, CO, Alan (Mindi), Towner, ND, Randy, Bismarck, ND, And Steve, Indian Hills, CO; 16 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren; 6 sisters, Sister Mary Rose, Hankinson, ND, Rose Mitzel, Edgeley, ND, Mary Kramer, Minneapolis, MN, Christine Meier, Fargo, ND, Margaret Schatz, Minneapolis, Betty Brandner Leola, SD; and 1 brother, Johnny (Josie) Schatz, Bismarck, ND. Her parents and one brother, Eugene preceded her in death.

Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2006 at Transfiguration Catholic Church, Edgeley, ND.
Prayer Service: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 28, 2006 at Transfiguration Church.
Visitation: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday at Lisko Funeral Chapel, Edgeley and 1 hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.
Interment: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Edgeley, ND.