Julein Marie Paulson Axelson died on April 8, 2019, at 95. Julein was born in Moscow, Idaho, on July 30, 1923, and grew up in Troy, Idaho. After graduating from the University of Idaho, she worked as a dietician in Seattle, Washington, where she met and married Leland (Lee), her husband of 62 years. She eventually earned a master’s degree from Florida State University and a doctorate in Food Science from the University of Florida. Her first teaching position was in the late 1960’s at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee. She moved to Blacksburg in 1977, where she taught at Virginia Tech and Radford University. Julein’s entire career was devoted to nutrition education through her teaching and active participation in professional organizations. Upon retirement, Julein used her unbounded energy in working with the Free Clinic of the New River Valley, Luther Memorial Church, and United Way of the New River Valley. She will be remembered for her uncompromising commitment to the respect and welfare of all.
Julein is preceded in death by her husband, Leland John Axelson, her parents, Herman and Ida Paulson, and her sister, Eleanor Paulson Wright. She is survived by her three children: Andrea Howard (Donald) of Columbia, SC; Marta Brinberg (David) of Blacksburg, VA; and Paul Axelson (Cheryl) of Marco Island, FL. She had four grandchildren: Leland Howard (Aaron Flynn) of Washington, DC; Erik Howard (Ashley) of Alexandria, VA; Miriam ‘Mimi’ Brinberg of State College, PA; and Isaac Brinberg of Kansas City, MO.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 12, 2019, at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Warm Hearth Foundation, Blacksburg, VA, or to an organization that promotes health or nutrition, particularly among disadvantaged populations