Julia Bunce

Julia Ann Bunce, 83, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 27, 2025, at St. Luke’s Hospital. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Julia was born on November 23, 1941, in Anamosa, Iowa, the daughter of Richard and Bernice (Parisho) Rathjens.

Julia was a graduate of St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids.  Her career as a Registered Nurse spanned over 40 years, primarily at Methodist Hospital in Minneapolis. She specialized as a Critical Care Registered Nurse in the intensive care and coronary care units. During her career she was an active member of the Minnesota Nurses Association.

She greatly enjoyed playing piano, classical music and the performing arts, with near-annual visits to the stage performance of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.

Julia is survived by her children, Bradley (Cindy) Bunce and Jonathan (Valerie) Bunce; grandchildren, Andrew Bunce and Stacey Bunce; great-grandchild, Darby Bunce; and siblings, Richard (Pat) Rathjens and Loretta Rathjens.

Julia was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, JT Bunce; and siblings, Jim Rathjens, Gloria Purscell, and Phyllis Shimak.