Julia Nahring, 92

Julia Nahring, longtime Kalispell resident, age 92, died peacefully on Tuesday, May 7, 2013.

Born in Kansas City, Mo., on Sept. 9, 1920, she came to California at age 2 with her parents, Herman and Winnie Theroff and two brothers, Herman and Bud. As a child, Julia spent many carefree summers at their beach house in Malibu. She graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1937, and attended Sawyer Business School. She worked in the office of Beechnut Gum Co. during the years of World War II. She met the love of her life, Jerry Nahring, when they were both teenagers. After World War II, they married in Santa Barbara and began life together.  

At age 31 she was struck with polio, just before the vaccine became available. Her physical therapist Joyce McGinnis, whom she has remained friends with for 61 years, taught and inspired her how to live a self-reliant life, as opposed to an easier, more dependent one. Julia went on to raise three children, Cathy, Tom and Pat, not as a handicapped person but as a paraplegic who just did things differently.  Her family of three generations lived happily in Whittier, Calif., for many years. Many beautiful family memories involved vacations to Morro Bay, a small fishing town that the family enjoyed each summer.

In 1973, she lost her beloved husband. Julia moved to Kalispell in 1981, where she built a lovely home on the Stillwater River. There she enjoyed growing flowers and gardening on her large deck and watching the wildlife right outside her back door. She adapted well to her new life and loved being near her children and grandchildren. Whether chopping wood for her stove from her wheelchair or sewing and selling “Grandma Julie’s Collectables” through local stores and craft fairs, her talents and bright spirit were in everything she did. She loved animals, especially Minkis the cat, whom she tempted in from a feral life outdoors to become her constant companion. Her legendary, elaborately themed Easter parties will long be remembered by friends and family. Her home was known as “party central” and she was at the helm of all celebrations, meticulously planned and enjoyed by all.

Anyone who knows Julia knows of her love and skill at gardening. She loved starting plants from seed indoors. She grew everything from prize-winning roses to corn nine feet tall on her back deck, and also cared for Meyer lemon trees in her living room. She amazed everyone. Her gardening skills and unique talents are documented in the book “Grace from the Garden” by Debra Engle. She found comfort, joy and God in the gardens she created. She had big plans for her “blue and white” themed garden this year.

Julia is most known for her constant interest in helping people. As her disabilities grew greater, she constantly worked at adapting how she could be of service to others. She was a woman whose life was based in her strong Catholic faith. She had been a longtime parishioner of St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Kalispell.  

Her family never wants her to be remembered for her struggles but instead remembered for her grace, wisdom, strength, humor and unfailing perseverance in adapting to her changing world. Some people tell others how to live. Julia inspired others by living her life in gratefulness and courage. She impacted all who met her in a profound way. “Your mother is amazing” is all her kids ever heard. We were all blessed to have known her.   

Julia and her family have been so grateful for her many beloved caregivers and the wonderful friends she met through Kalispell’s Meals on Wheels program. So many people helped Julia live as independent as possible in her own home. Plant a special flower in honor of Julia and remember her each time it blooms.

She is survived by her three children, daughter Cathy Czajkowski and husband John, and son Tom Nahring and wife Brenda, all of Kalispell, and daughter Pat Williams and husband Fred of Yorba Linda, Calif. She had four grandchildren, Amy Angelo, Carrie Coker, Jerry Nahring and Lindsay Williams; and three great-grandchildren, Tanner Coker, and Vincent and Dominic Angelo.  

The family is grateful for the loving compassion she received from the staff at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.  

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon on Wednesday, May 15 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church. There will be a reception following the service.