Julianne Arlene Matthews

Julianne “Julie” Arlene Matthews born Julianne Jackson to Minnie Laura Barclay Jackson and Clarence Warren Jackson on September 5, 1951, in Bemidji, MN.  Julie passed away on January 13, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  She was 74 years old.

Julie grew up and attended school in St. Charles, MN.  In the late ‘70’s, Julie moved her family to the Cass Lake/Bena area, where she lived the rest of her life.  Her life was about being one with nature.  Julie learned how to hunt, fish, rice, and net leeches.  She was a forger for berries, pinecones and pine boughs, using the boughs to hand make wreaths.  Julie was an amazing cook.  She could make anything and was always making big meals for her family.  Julie was always busy doing something, she enjoyed knitting, sewing, crocheting, playing the piano and in her later years she got into doing diamond art.  But her favorite thing to do was going for rides on the side-by-side or 4-wheeler with her special friend Ricky and her furry friend Henry.

After being given six months to live, the fighter in her took over and beat that ugly disease of cancer, making it another 10 years.  Her strength and determination never waivered even through her second battle with cancer, which ultimately beat her.  Julie will be remembered for her giant spirit which will live on in all who loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Minnie “Laura” and Clarence Jackson, and two brothers, Gary and Richard “Dick” Jackson.

Julie is survived by her significant other, Ricky McKinney, four children, Dane (Sara) Rubin, Kristine (John) Chase, Millessa (Aaron Weitz) Rubin, and Heidi Shepard, 13 grandchildren, Hailey (Matthew), Matt, Austin, Nick, Tyrell (Cora), Tasha (Robert), Nate (Marie), Amber (Jake), Leo Jr., Levi, Drew, Brooke (Austin), and Caden, 23 great grandchildren, Elva, Raven, Mahteya, Nevaeh, Laney, Lillian, Penelope, Coltan, Kyleigh, Theodore, Benjamin, Isaac, Khade, Nate Jr., Ava, Jordy, Gio, Leo III, Phoenix, Kinlee, Avyanna, Dawson, and Owen, four brothers, Lester “Buck” (Nancy), Robert (Jean), John, and Craig (Creek) Jackson, two sisters Linda Rafdahl, and Charlene (Rich) Hanson.

A celebration of Julie’s life will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Northern Peace Funeral Home, 114 Tianna Drive, Walker, MN.  Anton Treuer – Waagosh will officiate.  Urnbearers are all her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Her honorary urnbearers are her brothers and sisters, Retta Stangel, and Janet Shepard.  At Julie’s request, her cremains will be cared for by her family.

Julie’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com

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