Julie Kay Karsky (Bluhm)

Julie Kay Karsky (Bluhm), passed away at age 74 from ovarian cancer on June 18, 2025, at her St. Croix Falls, W,I homestead with her husband Don and sister Deb by her side. A beloved yoga teacher in the St. Croix Valley, she lived life fully and intentionally with gratitude, joy, curiosity, courage, generosity, and a smile. Always attuned to others, she donated her body to Mayo Clinic for education.

Julie was born on October 21, 1950, to Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Bluhm in Austin, MN. She moved to Cambridge, MN, when she was eight and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1968. She was crowned Miss Cambridge that same year as part of the Miss Minnesota pageant and won the talent category for her tumbling. Even into her 70s, she could execute a perfect cartwheel.

In 1972, Julie married her childhood sweetheart, Don Karsky. They built a “concrete relationship” through the construction of two homes from the cement foundations up. The first was an A-frame in Palmdale, MN. The second, begun in 1976, was their underground home in St. Croix Falls, WI.

The Karskys hosted numerous gatherings at their beautiful homestead. They grew much of their own food and lived in harmony with the wildlife on their land, especially the deer, chipmunks, and birds. For 48 years, Julie baked her signature heritage organic whole wheat bread in their wood burning oven.

Julie worked in health care beginning in her teenage years. First at Cambridge Hospital, then St. Croix Regional Hospital, and later at Hazelden Betty Ford. She completed her career teaching yoga. She also built a successful cottage weaving industry with her husband. The couple supported one another in their passions – Don’s music and Julie’s yoga.

Julie was a community builder and nurturer. She delighted in connecting “like-minded” people through yoga. nearly two decades, she taught weekly yoga classes in St. Croix Falls. Julie’s last yoga class was on May 5, 2025, one week before she entered hospice.

Julie is survived by her husband of 52 years, Do,n and her sister Debra (John) Josephson. In addition to family members, she will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by many friends, co-workers, and yoga students. She touched many with her love, light, joy, and smile.

Julie’s Celebration of Life will be a potluck held at the Karsky homestead on Sunday, July 27, 1:00 – 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the St. Croix Falls Library, 230 S. Washington St., St. Croix Falls, WI 54024, and St. Croix Hospice Frederic Office,107 Oak St. Suite 100, Frederic, WI 54837.