Julie A. Bielke

Julie Ann Bielke, age 86, died on Jan.5, 2026. Daughter of James and Mary Estes, Julie was born in Cracker's Neck, KY, where her father was a minister in the church of the Holy Brethren. Later the family moved to Springfield, Ohio where Julie attended public school. She married Jim Hopewell in 1955 and gave birth to her first daughter, Kimala Faye, in 1956. Her second daughter, Angela May, was born in 1958. When the marriage to Jim ended, Julie worked hard to put herself through cosmetology school while raising her two daughters as a single parent and working nights in a local pizza shop.

In 1960 she met and married Gunar Bielke, a young Latvian-German immigrant who was serving in the U.S. Army and stationed nearby. Gunar allegedly told a friend "That's the girl I'm going to marry" on the day they met in a local sandwich shop. Their first child, Cynthia Ann, was born in 1961, with their second child, Gunner Eric, completing the family in 1968. Julie and Gunar bought a home in Hilliard, Ohio shortly after they married and Julie lived there for more than 40 years before relocating to Columbus.

In the early 1970s Julie opened and operated a successful small business, Bielke's Beauty Salon, on the westside of Columbus. Her marriage to Gunar ended in the late 1970s, with Gunar returning to Germany for nearly two years afterward. She once again struggled with the challenges of single parenthood with limited financial support.

She met Thomas Gibson in 1980 and later married him. Their 26-year marriage ended when Tom died from heart problems and complications from dementia. Julie spent the final 10 years of their marriage caring for Tom, 19 years her senior, at home while the ravages of dementia took their terrible toll.

Julie and Tom did enjoy many good years before his decline, including dancing, dining and spending time with family and friends. They attended all the football games and other athletic events at Hilliard High School where son, Gunner Eric, was a star athlete.They also made many visits to Minnesota, home of daughters Angie and Cindy and their respective families. Happy memories were made on many summer vacations "up north" and during Christmas holidays.

Julie was an expert euchre player and taught young grandsons, Rick and Charlie Dornfeld, the finer points of the game. They enjoyed many hours of card playing during Grandma Julie and Grandpa Tom's Minnesota visits.

Julie also loved roses (receiving them and growing them), history, and swimming at the local Hilliard pool. She always bought summer pool passes for her children and ensured they all learned to swim at an early age.

She was a staunch believer in Jesus Christ, converting to Catholicism in her later years. She often attended mass at St. Andrews in Columbus with sister Mary Jo Koehler.

Julie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. She is survived by her children: Kim Hopewell (Nick Day), Wilmington, OH; Angie Engelun (Loren), San Antonio, TX; Cindy Bielke (Steve Green), St. Paul, MN; and Gunner Eric, Tampa, FL. Grandchildren: Amanda Johnson, Carl Hopewell, Charles Dornfeld, Kathryn (Bielke) Miller, Koren Cary, Mary Engelun, Mary Summers, Nichole (Bielke) Miller, Paul Engelun, Richard Dornfeld. Great grandchildren: Alexis Engelun, Audrey Kragenbrink, Arianna Wedell, Ashley Standsberry, Callan Summers, Clark Dornfeld, Connor Johnson, Constance Johnson, Elizabeth Engelun, Elli May Chapin, Ethan Kragenbrink, Gabriel Johnson, Kaylen Chapin, Lorelei Summers. Great-great-great grandchildren: Lighten and Ryker Standsberry.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., with visitation preceding at 10:30 a.m., at the Tidd Family Funeral Home, 5265 Norwich Street, Hilliard, with the Rev. John Cramton. officiating. Julie will be interred at Sunset Cemetery in Galloway, OH immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Ohio in Julie Bielke's name at namiohio.org