Julia Marie McDowell

Julia Marie McDowell

     Julia McDowell, age 66, passed away April 22, 2022. The second of five siblings, Julia Marie Friedrich was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon on July 3, 1955 to Donald Karl Friedrich and Vivian Ruth (Williams) “Ruthie” Friedrich.

     Growing up, Julia and her siblings, James, Jerry, Judy and Jay, lived in several places in the Klamath Falls area, close to her parents’ employment. After attending several elementary schools in Klamath Falls, she graduated from Klamath Union High School in 1973. Julia trained as a nurse’s aide, working for a time at Presbyterian Inter-Community Hospital, now Sky Lakes Medical Center. She held several other jobs before she began working for Kmart, from which she retired after 27 years. Many people still remember her friendly helpfulness while she worked there.

     She met her husband, Steven McDowell, in 1974. They married in 1975, and lived in Phoenix, Sacramento, Reno, and Lake Tahoe. They later divorced.

     She was caregiver for her grandmother, Ida Friedrich, and later, for her parents in their declining years.

     Julie enjoyed reading novels, caring for plants and flowers, bird-watching, crocheting, watching Hallmark movies, playing computer games, working puzzles, and looking for bargains at garage sales. She was an intelligent, resourceful, thoughtful, and a very loving and kind person.

     She is survived by her four siblings: James Friedrich, Klamath Falls; Jerry (Aida) Friedrich, Stanwood, WA; Judy (Patrick) Teas, Vancouver, WA; Jay Friedrich, Tacoma, WA; her aunts: Carol (Curtis) Friedrich Dotson, Denver, CO, and Janice Friedrich Soyster, Salem, OR; several nieces and nephews, many cousins and others in her large extended family; and, especially, by her special friend, John Troy.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Ruth Friedrich; her paternal grandparents, Karl and Ida Friedrich; and her uncle, Ronald Friedrich.

     Memorial gifts may be sent in her memory to High Desert Hospice or Klamath Hospice, Klamath Falls, OR.

     A memorial service will take place on May 28, 2022 at 11:00AM at Ohair-Wards Funeral Chapel, 515 Pine St., Klamath Falls, Oregon, 97601.

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