Julie Mary Lassen

Julie Lassen lived 86 beautiful years, bringing love and light to all her family, friends, neighbors, and community. Born in Sioux City, Iowa, Julie had three siblings - Dorothy, Robert, and Gerald Naughton - with whom she was very close. She met her other half, Laurence Lassen, as a college student at Iowa State University, and they were joyfully married for 63 years, raising two children, Carolyn and Peter. She died peacefully on May 11, 2023, in Columbia, MD after a brief illness.

Julie was an excellent cook, and she loved cooking with and for her family. She made Norwegian meatballs and krumkake cookies every Christmas, the sought-after mashed potatoes every Thanksgiving, the best iced tea all summer. Her recipe notes and appliance notes were meticulous - she kept every manual.

Everyone was welcome in her home. She made everyone feel included, and made lifelong friends everywhere she lived.

She was deeply devoted to her family. Julie was involved in their lives, asking about their activities, always providing encouragement, and faithfully attending games and concerts for as long as she was able. She made up creative games for her kids, grandkids, and great grandchildren that they treasured.

Julie beat the odds, living with Type 1 diabetes for more than 50 years. Her incredible discipline to diet and exercise is an inspiration to everyone fighting the disease. And throughout it all, she was endlessly positive.

She was a person of strong and abiding faith. Raised in the church, she spent time with the Bible every day and was involved in every Lutheran congregation where she and Larry lived. Her faith in God was deeply meaningful to her and an example for her family.

Julie is survived by her husband, Larry; a daughter, Carolyn Lassen Ashburn (Michael) of Gladwyne, PA; a son, Peter Laurence Lassen (Christie) of Columbia, MD; three granddaughters - AnneMarie Ashburn Horowitz (Roger) of Philadelphia, PA, Sarah Ashburn Gutman (Abraham) of Philadelphia, PA; Anna Lassen of Columbia, MD; and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Julie will be held on Saturday, May 13 at 10 am at New Hope Lutheran Church (8575 Guilford Road, Columbia). In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to New Hope Lutheran Church or The Residences at Vantage Point Foundation.

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