Julia Ann Kerr

March 27, 1933 - January 31, 2022

Oskaloosa. Julia Ann Kerr, 88, of Oskaloosa, died Monday, January 31, 2022, at the Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa. She was born Monday, March 27, 1933, in Bussey, Iowa, the daughter of Cleo and Mary Josephine Bowie Spaur. She attended school in Bussey. Following school, she took at job at Kresge’s. On November 22, 1952, she was united in marriage to Robert Kerr. Following their marriage, she stayed home to care for her young family and home. Once all her children were in school, Julia re-entered the workforce and took a job at Sheller Globe in Keokuk. Julia’s entrepreneurial spirit coupled with her gift to make wonderful meals, inspired the couple to open a truck stop near Montrose, Iowa, named Bob and Julia’s. After a few years there they sold the business. They later opened a café in Keokuk named the Little House of Fine Foods. In January of 1977, they moved to Oskaloosa. Once in Oskaloosa, Julia worked various places part-time. She dedicated most of her time to caring for Bob as his health declined. Bob died on October 1, 2000, Julia remained in her home until her health began to fail in December of 2017, and she moved into Oskaloosa Care Center. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, canning, and crocheting. In 2009, when her daughter and son in law bought a café in Oskaloosa, she enjoyed spending her time at Julie’s as head of quality assurance making sure Julie didn’t mess up any of her recipes. She delighted in family get togethers and cooking for her friends and family. She also enjoyed watching and feeding the birds and squirrels. Her family includes her five children, Debra (Paul) Daley of Buffalo, New York, Stacey Kerr of Oskaloosa, Theresa Kerr of Oskaloosa, Quincy (Cheryl) Kerr of Fountain, Florida, and Julie (Trevor) Wells of Oskaloosa; three daughters in law, Penny Black of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Ann Black of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Pamela Kerr-Wahlberg of Panama City, Florida; twenty-six grandchildren; forty-five great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; and special friends, Linda and Alex. In addition to her husband Robert, Julia was preceded in death by her parents; three sons, Frank, Jay, and Kenneth; a granddaughter, Tikens Binns; two stepsons, Bill and Gary Black; two great grandchildren, Emmett and Burton; a brother, Harold Spaur; three sisters, Josephine McGee, Lena Pearl Kephart, and June Barber. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 4, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Quincy Kerr and Daylene St. Peter officiating. Burial will be in the Bellefountaine Cemetery near Tracy. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Thursday after 12 noon in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Thursday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Bellefountaine Cemetery Association.