Julie Ann Myler

Boise, Idaho – Julie Ann Madsen Myler passed from this life on January 5, 2022, due to natural causes at the age of 79.

Julie was born to Minnie Mae (Hodge) Madsen and Odell J. Madsen on March 30, 1942, in Pocatello, Idaho. Her early life was spent in southeastern Idaho where she grew up with her 3 brothers and 2 sisters, and graduated from Pocatello High School.

After high school, she married Garry Myler, also of Pocatello, and they had 5 children. The first years of the family were mainly in Pocatello, and in 1981, they moved to Boise, which Julie made her home base for the remainder of her life.

Julie loved to create and explore through her art. She loved to capture the spirit of creation and the Creator as she transformed a blank canvas into something beautiful. She inspired and taught many others to tap their own creative instincts through art. She loved how art could provide a window to what it means to be human, and found deep meaning in painting. Her later years were marred by vision impairment, which caused her to stop painting. She was heartbroken. But after years of retiring the paintbrush, she was inspired by a wise doctor to get back to what she loved, despite her visual setbacks. She took courage and jumped back into painting. This awakened her creative energy again and brought her back to the work she loved so much. Some of her most inspiring and beautiful art production came in the last few years of her life as she resumed her gift.

Julie was an empathic and emotionally sensitive woman. All who got to know her felt of her unique spirit and kind heart. She had the ability to connect deeply and meaningfully with others. She was a gifted listener, and had the power to make those around her feel loved without judgment. People knew they could be accepted and cared about by her, regardless of their outward appearance or their mistakes. She loved people open-heartedly.

Julie was a free spirit and a maverick, much like her father before her. She didn’t look to conform to an arbitrary social standard just for the sake of conformity, but had to feel like it was consistent with her personal integrity. As a result, she marched to a slightly different drum, and loved to make others think about their own social choices and beliefs more deliberately. This caused her to end up taking some interesting detours throughout her life; some that she regretted, but some that opened her eyes to some of the great beauty of experience that this life on earth has to offer. Even in the last few years of life, she took a fantastic adventure to India for a few weeks to experience more of what life on earth offers. Rather than sit back and wait for life to happen to her, she dove in and lived it! She made all 79 years of her life count.

In life, Julie was most happy and found deep joy in front of a canvas. With each stroke, she channelled the genius and spirit of the Creator of us all, calling forth the beauty and glory of all creation. Dear Julie, go happily and with courage into eternity with the fresh and endless new canvas you are now given in death. We will love and miss you forever!

Julie is preceded in death by her parents, Odell J. Madsen Sr. and Minnie Mae (Hodge) Madsen; and her sister, Kathy Morris, and brother, Carl Madsen. She is survived by her sister, Wendy Faler, her brothers, Jim Madsen and Eric Madsen; her 5 children, Garry Myler, Shantay Clark, Heather Staheli, Gentry Myler, and Carson Myler; as well as numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren who loved her dearly.

A memorial service in her honor will be held Saturday January 15, 2022, at the Relyea Funeral Chapel, 318 N Latah Street in Boise, Idaho. Viewing will be at 10:00 a.m. and the service will begin at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be contributed to her funeral fund on Venmo @Gentry-Myler. Thank you.