Julie Ann Kean

life story

Julie Ann Kean, 65 of Hovland, Minnesota, passed away on June 26, 2026,after living for twenty years with Parkinson’s Disease. Born on May 2, 1961 in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, she grew up in Center City, Minnesota.

Julie lived most of her life in Hovland, Minnesota, where she was a fiber artist and teacher known for her baskets, quilts, and traditional Scandinavian Christmas ornaments. She designed the Grand Marais Evangelical Free Church building, and she worked at the Cook County Coop and at the Chicago Bay Marketplace where she was known for her hand-made pies. An avid gardener, jam maker, and knitter, she was happiest when her hands were busy and she was creating something both beautiful and practical.

She was the mother of three children and helped raise two more. She is preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Shirley Johnson, and her son, Aspen Donald Adams. She is survived by her two daughters, Meadow Carr (Jacob) and Cedar Adams (Chris Ferry), her step-son Broc Adams, her sister Susan Lynn Peterson (Gary), and brothers Richard Johnson (Kerry) and James Johnson (Sandy).

The funeral service will be held on July 18th at 3:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hovland, Minnesota, with a public celebration of life and potluck immediately following at the Hovland Town Hall.

If you like please bring your favorite peace of art of Julie's to share with people.