Julie Mae Miesen-Harold

This page is dedicated to the LOVING MEMORY of Julie Mae (Burtness) Miesen-Harold. She was born in Sioux City Iowa on April 20th, 1940 and was raised in Robbinsdale Minnesota. Julie was the Beloved daughter of Julius Arthur and Mae Marie (Boe) Burtness, and a Beloved sibling to Bill, David and Marie Burtness. They were a Norwegian family and Julie made sure EVERYONE knew her roots as she was very proud of her heritage.

Following in the footsteps of her mother, Julie pursued a career in nursing and ended up packing up her bags and moving to Portland Oregon. She graduated from the Emanuel Hospital Nursing School in 1963 and began her nursing career at Emanuel. Julie married James Vincent Miesen in 1965 whom she met while singing in Sweet Adelines, an a cappella barbershop organization. Julie was introduced to four-part harmony at a young age as her dad sang in quartets in Minnesota. Additionally, her brother Bill and his wife Mavis were heavily integrated in the barbershop community and invited Julie to several events. She eventually joined a chorus singing baritone and later formed a quartet named The Solataires. James was also in a quartet called The Squires Four and sang bass. Both quartets ended up winning first place in a regional competition that took place up in Calgary in the early 70’s! They continued to be involved in barbershop as well as in a local square dance community for many years.

Julie and James had three daughters: Joanne, Jalene and Janis. They were her LIFE, these three. She blessed them with music, travel, singing, dancing and love. They were her greatest gifts which she reminded them of daily. Julie and her family lived in North Portland and her daughters attended Holy Redeemer School. The neighborhood they lived in on Williams Avenue produced friendships that would last a lifetime. They created even more when they moved into the Mocks Crest neighborhood off of Willamette Boulevard. Community was very important to Julie wherever she was.

Julie, James and their daughters went to mass every Sunday at Holy Redeemer Parish. Julie and James eventually joined the folk group but her family was involved in many activities at Holy Redeemer including: Breakfast Club, Alter Society, Teen Club, and Bible Study. They were also involved with Marriage Encounter and brought their daughters on retreats. GOD was always present in her life. She always had an abundant amount of faith – and even read the bible twice!

Julie’s daughters participated in both sports and music during their elementary, high school and college years. She provided them lessons in piano, steel drums, violin, and guitar and they also played volleyball, soccer, basketball and softball. Julie endured many years of sitting on benches, gym floors, and outdoor grandstands in all types of weather conditions and was the girls’ biggest fan. She volunteered in her daughter’s classrooms as a Room Mother and remained involved at Holy Redeemer even after her daughters moved into high school.

Julie enjoyed sewing and made just about every dress her girls wore -- she’d get ONE pattern and three different material colors. EVERYONE knew when the ‘Miesen Girls’ entered the room! Her daughters benefited from hand-sewn, beautifully matching outfits for every holiday. Later, she crafted personal quilts for each of them from the leftover fabric. What a wonderful surprise which her daughters will treasure forever. Julie also knitted hats and created quilts which she delivered to women’s shelters. Her endearing pursuit to make the world better truly had no boundaries.

Julie loved the outdoors and took her family on many road-trips (Minnesota anyone?!) and several camping adventures. They traveled the map in a big ‘ol station wagon! She loved to garden, cook, read, sing and music constantly filled their home. Julie took the time to bake special treats for her girls and cake designs ranged from bunnies to castles depending on what was being celebrated, and there was also no shortage of cookie recipes. She canned different fruits and veggies and the pantry in the basement was always stocked. But now…let's talk about the chocolate. Julie loved chocolate and had many daily doses of it. Her girls were ‘LUCKY’ if they ever found the chocolate that she hid around the house – but she didn’t hide things very well and to her dismay they looted some of her hidden stashes. The dark chocolate 70% Cocoa was her favorite. She must have eaten 10,000 bars.

Julie lost James in the fall of 1984, but continued to raise her daughters, work full time as a nurse, volunteer endless hours supporting her grandchildren, while also nurturing everything in sight. She was employed by the Portland Clinic in the Orthopedic unit until she retired and really enjoyed working with all the Doctors and staff. But she loved her patients THE MOST! One time she even got to put a cast on Dennis Quaid and was quite giddy about that experience!

In the summer of 1988 she married Charles Harold who was also a parishioner at Holy Redeemer. This last May they celebrated 36 years. Julie and Charles enjoyed many years of sailing in their boat named Cirrus. They eventually sold their home and continued their adventures by doing extensive traveling – and living! – exclusively in their Travel Trailer with their giant puppy, Toby. They applied and were accepted for many different camp host positions at several campgrounds throughout the U.S., traveled through Canada (coast to coast!), and created a plethora of amazing memories.

For over 10 years, Julie and Charles were hosts at the Bonneville Dam Fish Hatchery in the Columbia Gorge and it became one of Julie’s favorite places. When they retired from camp hosting they lived off Bridgerton Road overlooking the mighty Columbia River. Julie and Chuck LOVED when the military jets flew over and they enjoyed watching boats cruise by. Mom couldn’t wait to hear her beautiful Ospreys call out and had her windows open with the cool river breeze blowing in. Having spent many years on a sailboat, the water was always so restful and relaxing to her and Charles.

Julie was THE GREATEST GIFT to her Grandchildren: Christopher (34), Joseph (25), Kelly (24), Julianne (18), and Jericho (16). Even as they grew older she continued to celebrate their birthdays by mailing cards and was always interested in what they were doing. She made it a point to be involved in their lives and made every effort to attend their births, baptisms, school plays, sport events, music concerts, band concerts, graduations, day long tournaments, and she also followed them on social media throwing a cool grandma ‘thumbs-up’. Julie spent time with them as a group and also individually — making sure they all had a 1:1 opportunity to receive her love and attention.

In 2022 she was diagnosed with liver cancer but handled it with strength and grace. She had several months of treatments and fought hard. During this sensitive time of her life she had lovely conversations and shared blessings with her family and friends and was showered with love and support. She went peacefully into the arms of Jesus the morning of June 1, 2024. Heaven has gained a champion!

On June 7th a Norwegian Maple Tree was planted in her honor by her friends at the Bonneville Dam Fish Hatchery. What a gift! It will forever be a special place for all of you to visit and celebrate this newly crowned ANGEL!

We highly recommend that in lieu of flowers that you click on the big purple DONATION button on the Friends of Trees website and gift a tree, or even a whole grove of trees, in our mother’s name.