Juli Marie (Schupbach) Goerend

Juli Marie (Schupbach) Goerend

Urbandale

Juli Marie (Schupbach) Goerend was born on June 19, 1953, in Postville, Iowa, and left this world on Nov. 26, 2023, at home in Urbandale, Iowa, after a graceful and courageous two and a half-year journey with stage IV non-smokers lung cancer.

She was the cherished daughter of Bill and Jan (Beeman) Schupbach. Juli first met her future husband at the wedding of mutual friends: she was a bridesmaid; he was an usher. Four months later, they were engaged. Four months after that, on Feb 11, 1977, Juli married Bob and together they shared 46 years of companionship, building a life filled with love and resilience. Juli was a devoted mother to Jolene, married to Jessica, and Russell, married to Becky. Her legacy continues through her three adored grandsons: Henry Patrick (13), Wesley James (10), and Calvin Scott (8).

Juli graduated from Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School in 1971, where she led Kennedy's gymnastics teams to success with her first-place finishes on balance beam (1969, 1970), vault (1970), and all-around (1970) at the state championships. She landed on the podium in all 12 state events in which she qualified in her high school gymnastics career. Juli also held numerous leadership positions throughout high school including student government, and she was president of the newly-formed Community Action Committee. Her achievements in high school set the stage for a life of excellence. She continued her education at the University of Iowa, graduating in 1975 with a degree in Elementary Education. Juli and a fellow Iowa prep gymnast crossed paths during their sophomore year at the University of Iowa. Driven by their shared passion for gymnastics, they aspired to compete once more. Predating the implementation of Title IX, they took the initiative to establish and pioneer the gymnastics program as a club sport at the University of Iowa. Juli's gymnastics talents then extended to the national stage, qualifying for the college gymnastics national championships in 1973 (vault) and 1974 (balance beam and uneven parallel bars). Bob and Juli raised their family in West Union, Iowa, where Juli taught fourth grade at both West Union Elementary and Fayette Elementary, impacting countless lives throughout the community. Alongside her dedication to academics, she coached gymnastics, fostering a love for the sport in young athletes. Juli was part of a cross-stitching group with dear friends, creating a close-knit community beyond her family. She served as Jolene's Girl Scout leader and contributed to Russ's football teams by meticulously keeping stats from the sidelines. She served as a line judge for volleyball games and was the driving force behind building a new softball field near the high school, leaving an enduring legacy within her community. Juli had a profound impact on education. In 1998, she received the national Milken Educator Award for her contributions as a computer curriculum coordinator and fourth-grade teacher at Fayette Elementary School. She played a crucial role in shaping Iowa's science, math, and technology curricula, and her pioneering work in distance learning made a lasting impact. In 2004, Juli earned a Masters of Education from Viterbo University, showcasing her commitment to lifelong learning. After 28 years of teaching, Juli transitioned to the test development industry, making significant contributions at Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) and Pearson VUE in Minneapolis, Minn. She was able to explore more than 30 new cities during her professional travels.

Juli cherished her memories of biking adventures with Bob, especially the Root River Trail in southeast Minnesota. Vintage shopping was also a shared passion and can be seen in their houseful of mid-century modern furniture and collection of fondue dishes. A fervent supporter of Iowa Hawkeye sports, her enthusiasm and connection to the school added an extra layer of excitement to the games. Amidst all these interests, she found grounding in the act of handwriting notes, weaving connections with friends and family through the written word. Prior to her cancer diagnosis she was an active volunteer, spending time at her grandsons' elementary school library as well as Joppa and ParenTeen in Des Moines. Her dedication to volunteer work mirrored her compassionate nature, creating a positive influence on the lives she encountered.

Juli was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Jan Schupbach. She is survived by her loving husband, Bob; her children, Jolene and Russell, her daughters-in-law, Jessica and Becky; and her grandsons Henry, Wesley, and Calvin. She is also survived by her five sisters: Marsha (Tim) Lowe, Karen Pic, Valerie (Jeff) Malos, Pamela Calhoun, and Jody (Steve) Bogoshian, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A celebration of Juli's life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, at Jasper Winery, 2400 George Flagg Pkwy., Des Moines, IA 50321. The celebration will open at 2 p.m. with eulogy and remarks at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Juli's honor can be made to Can Play, a local nonprofit that provides recreational activities for children and adults with physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities: https://can-play.org/donate-2/ Condolences and memories may be shared on the Facebook Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/881721076829886/

May Juli rest in eternal peace, and may her family find comfort in the memories of a life well-lived.