Ploessl, Juliann 'Julie'

Juliann “Julie” Ploessl of Waukee died at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines surrounded by family and friends on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009, following a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 tonight at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee, where a vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. A second visitation will take place in Dubuque on Friday, Aug. 28, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home on Asbury Road, where a vigil service will be held at 7:30 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at Holy Ghost Church in Dubuque at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Julie was born April 12, 1958, to Mary (Schmitt) and Andrew Ploessl, in Dubuque, Iowa. She graduated from Wahlert High School in 1976. Julie graduated from Finley School of Nursing in Dubuque and obtained her BSN degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids. She earned her master's degree in nursing from the University of Texas in Galveston. Julie began her nursing career at Finley Hospital in Dubuque and then worked at other hospitals, including St. Luke's in Cedar Rapids and University of Texas in Galveston. For the past 21 years, she had been an integral part of Methodist Lutheran Blank Hospital in Des Moines, where she had made a deep and lasting impact. Julie served in various capacities at Iowa Methodist, most recently as chief nurse executive. She had distinguished herself in her nursing career through numerous awards and accomplishments.

In addition to her enthusiasm for nursing, Julie was most passionate about family. She is survived by her parents, Mary (Schmitt) and Andrew Ploessl Jr. of Dubuque; her sister, Jayne (John) Galbreath of Michigan; sister, Jolene (Steve) Wilson of Marion; and brother, Dale Ploessl of Bozeman, Mont. She had a very special relationship with her nieces and nephews, Sarah, Elizabeth, Jacob, and Steven. Julie is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as many special friends who she had made throughout her distinguished career.

Julie will be sadly missed by her family and many friends. She will always be remembered for her giving spirit, her compassion, and always thinking of others first. Julie was enthusiastic about living and loved to travel and spend time with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to the Julie Ploessl Nursing Education Endowment Fund at Iowa Health Foundation, 1440 Ingersoll Ave. Des Moines, IA 50309.

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