Julie Ann “Juju” Kastning, 73

Julie Ann “Juju” Kastning, 73, of New Braunfels, Texas, formerly of Brixey, died Dec. 6, 2022, at home with family.

She was born Dec. 8, 1948 to Roy and Viola Birkley in Sioux City, Iowa.

Julie grew up on a farm around New Castle, Nebraska, where her love for animals and gardening blossomed. She graduated from New Castle High School, where she was very big in 4H she always loved horses.

Julie worked at IBP in Sioux City, Iowa, where she met her first husband, Roger Guy Curry, who had two beautiful daughters she helped raise. The couple also had two additional children.

Julie married her second husband, George William “Bill” Kastning, in 1983 after moving to Brixey. It was also at that time that she found her calling as a cook at Rainbow Trout Ranch in Rockbridge, where she worked over 25 years.

After retirement she moved to Texas to be closer to her children.

Julie’s had a passion for baking holiday candy, cookies and breads for her loved ones. It was the looks on their faces after taking a bite of her creations that she loved the most. Everyone loved Juju’s banana bread.

Before she got her prosthetic, Julie enjoyed four years of hunting alligator at the Hawkins Ranch is Texas.

She is survived by her younger brother Dwight Birkley of Sioux City, Iowa; three daughters: Jeannie Clewett and husband Steve of Castle Rock, Washington, Kimberly Story of Stepheneville, Texas and Christine Curry and partner Dan Martines Jr. of New Braunfels, Texas; one son, Reed Curry, and wife Deborah Curry of Sealy, Texas; six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren, with one on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents and both husbands.

Donations may be made SPCA or to a local animal shelter or charity in honor of Julie.