Julia Rae Ellinger (née Simpson), a retired high school Home Economics teacher, died of natural causes on December 21, 2019 at the age of 89. Her husband, Rudolph (Rudy) Ellinger, predeceased her in 2016 at the age of 96; they had been married for 66 years. Julie lived in Friendship Village in Kalamazoo, MI, and had many friends there. Prior to moving to Friendship Village, she and Rudy designed and built a home on her parent's farm in Battle Creek, MI and raised Christmas trees. Prior to that, they lived in Northbrook, IL for many years until their retirement. In the Evanston Township, IL Home Economics department, Julie developed and taught innovative classes in child development for the high school level. Her students observed and applied what they learned in an on-site pre-school for three and four-year olds, which Julie also managed. Her interest in child development prompted her to return to college to get her Master's degree in the same field, which she thoroughly enjoyed. She was known for her love of cooking, baking and entertaining, reupholstering furniture, and for sewing many of her own and her daughter's clothes, including coats and business suits. Along with her sister Elizabeth and her brother David, Julie is survived by her daughter Debra, her son Steven with his wife Gina, and her granddaughter Alison (Debra's daughter). Julie was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be very much missed. Service Details. Interment Saturday, December 28th, 2019 | 2:30pm When: Saturday, December 28th, 2019 2:30pm Location: Lake View Cemetery Address: North of 130th Avenue on 22nd Street Hopkins, Michigan 49328