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Julie Marek, 67
April 10, 2026
Julie Marek, 67, of East Grand Forks, passed away Monday, April 6, 2026 at Valley Senior Living on 42nd in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Julie Marie Myerchin was born on November 30, 1958, to Ernie and Rosie Myerchin. She attended Sacred Heart School from kindergarten through her high school graduation in 1977. Throughout her school years, she was active in many programs, including student council, band, the liturgy committee, cheerleading, and her favorite—choir. She was involved in music at liturgies and played the piano and organ from a very young age.
She attended North Dakota State University in Fargo, where she worked in the music department and loved singing in the concert choir under the direction of the renowned Dr. Fissinger. The choir traveled all over the country, performing in churches and on stage. She completed her final year of education at Moorhead State and earned her B.S. in Elementary Education.
Julie accepted a sixth-grade teaching position at St. Ann’s in Wadena, MN. In 1982 she accepted a position back at Sacred Heart, where she taught sixth grade for two years. She met her future husband, Mike Marek, and they were married at Sacred Heart on June 24, 1983.
In 1984, Fr. Jerry Rogers asked her to take a leave from teaching to fill in as Sacred Heart’s liturgical music director for the departing Sr. Marguerite, who had been her beloved piano and organ teacher. What began as a temporary position turned into a 34-year career in liturgical music, all while raising four amazing children and attending their many athletic and music activities. Christmas and Easter were Julie’s “Super Bowls.” During that time, she also directed bell choirs for adults, high school, and grade school students, while planning and leading both adult and children’s choirs in preparation for those feasts. Despite her hectic liturgical schedule, she always managed to find time for decorating and baking—her favorite holiday activities.
Julie organized and played with Eagles Wings, an outstanding group of talented musicians that is still active at Sacred Heart today. Many students also experienced her calm and patient demeanor while learning piano. After retirement, she continued to play for Sacred Heart until her condition made it difficult to continue. She later worked at Poppler’s Music and part-time at Dahl’s Funeral Home, where she was assigned various duties. She especially enjoyed the opportunity to drive the hearse when asked. In between her busy work schedule and family life, she spent her free time crafting, scrapbooking, and baking—activities she dearly loved. Her scrapbooking skills were second to none, producing special books for her family and for the Sacred Heart athletic community. She also cherished time spent at the family cabin on Ham Lake near Nevis, MN, where countless memories were made with her extended and immediate families.
In 2012, Julie was named Sacred Heart Athletic Booster of the Year, and in 2022, Julie and Mike were honored with the Lumen Christi Award, recognizing a combined 84 years of service to Sacred Heart Schools and Church.
Julie is survived by her husband, Mike; her sons, Matthew (Jessie) Marek, Andrew Marek, and Bradley Marek; her daughter, Lindsey (Dylan) Porter; her grandchildren, Mackenzie and Kendall Marek; and her brothers, Dick (Cindy) Myerchin and Joe Myerchin.
Julie was preceded in death by her parents, Rosie and Ernie Myerchin; her brother, David; an unborn child; and many aunts and uncles.
Julie requested continued prayers for her soul and asked that Masses be offered to hasten her journey to the Lord.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be sent to the Julie Marek Scholarship in care of Sacred Heart Foundation, Relate Care Clinic (formerly Women’s Pregnancy Center), or the ALS Association.
Julie’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Valley Senior Living for their loving care of Julie.
VISITATION: 5:00-7:00 PM, Monday, April 13, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 200 3rd St. NW, East Grand Forks, MN 56721 with a ROSARY at 4:45 PM and PRAYER SERVICE at 7:00 PM.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: 11:30 AM, Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with additional visitation one hour prior. Funeral will be live-streamed on Julie’s page at www.dandahlfuneralhome.com.
INURNMENT: 3:00 PM on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at Resurrection Cemetery of East Grand Forks, MN.
Online Guestbook: www.dandahlfuneralhome.com
Arrangements By: Dahl Funeral Home ~ East Grand Forks, MN
Julie Marie Myerchin was born on November 30, 1958, to Ernie and Rosie Myerchin. She attended Sacred Heart School from kindergarten through her high school graduation in 1977. Throughout her school years, she was active in many programs, including student council, band, the liturgy committee, cheerleading, and her favorite—choir. She was involved in music at liturgies and played the piano and organ from a very young age.
She attended North Dakota State University in Fargo, where she worked in the music department and loved singing in the concert choir under the direction of the renowned Dr. Fissinger. The choir traveled all over the country, performing in churches and on stage. She completed her final year of education at Moorhead State and earned her B.S. in Elementary Education.
Julie accepted a sixth-grade teaching position at St. Ann’s in Wadena, MN. In 1982 she accepted a position back at Sacred Heart, where she taught sixth grade for two years. She met her future husband, Mike Marek, and they were married at Sacred Heart on June 24, 1983.
In 1984, Fr. Jerry Rogers asked her to take a leave from teaching to fill in as Sacred Heart’s liturgical music director for the departing Sr. Marguerite, who had been her beloved piano and organ teacher. What began as a temporary position turned into a 34-year career in liturgical music, all while raising four amazing children and attending their many athletic and music activities. Christmas and Easter were Julie’s “Super Bowls.” During that time, she also directed bell choirs for adults, high school, and grade school students, while planning and leading both adult and children’s choirs in preparation for those feasts. Despite her hectic liturgical schedule, she always managed to find time for decorating and baking—her favorite holiday activities.
Julie organized and played with Eagles Wings, an outstanding group of talented musicians that is still active at Sacred Heart today. Many students also experienced her calm and patient demeanor while learning piano. After retirement, she continued to play for Sacred Heart until her condition made it difficult to continue. She later worked at Poppler’s Music and part-time at Dahl’s Funeral Home, where she was assigned various duties. She especially enjoyed the opportunity to drive the hearse when asked. In between her busy work schedule and family life, she spent her free time crafting, scrapbooking, and baking—activities she dearly loved. Her scrapbooking skills were second to none, producing special books for her family and for the Sacred Heart athletic community. She also cherished time spent at the family cabin on Ham Lake near Nevis, MN, where countless memories were made with her extended and immediate families.
In 2012, Julie was named Sacred Heart Athletic Booster of the Year, and in 2022, Julie and Mike were honored with the Lumen Christi Award, recognizing a combined 84 years of service to Sacred Heart Schools and Church.
Julie is survived by her husband, Mike; her sons, Matthew (Jessie) Marek, Andrew Marek, and Bradley Marek; her daughter, Lindsey (Dylan) Porter; her grandchildren, Mackenzie and Kendall Marek; and her brothers, Dick (Cindy) Myerchin and Joe Myerchin.
Julie was preceded in death by her parents, Rosie and Ernie Myerchin; her brother, David; an unborn child; and many aunts and uncles.
Julie requested continued prayers for her soul and asked that Masses be offered to hasten her journey to the Lord.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be sent to the Julie Marek Scholarship in care of Sacred Heart Foundation, Relate Care Clinic (formerly Women’s Pregnancy Center), or the ALS Association.
Julie’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Valley Senior Living for their loving care of Julie.
VISITATION: 5:00-7:00 PM, Monday, April 13, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 200 3rd St. NW, East Grand Forks, MN 56721 with a ROSARY at 4:45 PM and PRAYER SERVICE at 7:00 PM.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: 11:30 AM, Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with additional visitation one hour prior. Funeral will be live-streamed on Julie’s page at www.dandahlfuneralhome.com.
INURNMENT: 3:00 PM on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at Resurrection Cemetery of East Grand Forks, MN.
Online Guestbook: www.dandahlfuneralhome.com
Arrangements By: Dahl Funeral Home ~ East Grand Forks, MN
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