*CORRECTION: In the last issue of the Northern Iowan, a story titled “Remembering Julie Ann” reported that Julie Ann Beddow served as a librarian at Rod Library. She instead held the role of assistant librarian.

1962-2022

Julie Ann Beddow, a beloved Rod Librarian, dog mom and art lover passed away unexpectedly in her home late 2022 due to complications related to diabetes. A memorial was held in Rod Library for Julie Ann on Dec. 10 where students, faculty and staff from all facets of campus came to celebrate and remember Julie Ann’s life and legacy. 

Julie Ann worked at Rod Library as a Library Assistant for 10 years in the Fine and Performing Arts Collection and the Digital Scholarship Unit. She also supervised student employees, assisted in curating the Learning Commons Exhibition Wall, managed the library art collection and established the Library Ambassadors Program.

According to her co-worker of 10 years, Melinda Beland, Julie Ann had a passion for learning and pushed others to always learn new things. Julie Ann applied her love of learning while working at Rod Library, and received her bachelor’s in Communication from UNI in 2017. She had just started a graduate program at UNI.

Julie Ann loved her dog, Russell, had an intense love and appreciation for art and was an advocate for diabetes and hypoglycemia awareness education. According to Julie Ann’s Celebration of Life program made by Rod Library, she was “always ready for an adventure and never hesitated to confront life’s many challenges. She was brave, kind, generous, and joyful.”