Julie Allard is a retired business owner and counselor. She and her husband Dennis moved into their home in 2019. This is her first home in Delafield. Previously, she lived in Waukesha. Unfortunately, she became a widow in 2021. They both loved their time together in the Delafield home and enjoy the Lake Country Area. Recently, along with the passing of her husband, she is a successful recovery story from the trauma of a long term health care journey. The photo above was taken during her recent trip to New Zealand near Queenstown.
About Julie Allard
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
We have 3 grown children who are all married. Interestingly enough, all three children selected wedding dates in August and they are consecutive wedding dates of Aug 18, 19, and 20th. Ours was the 21st of August. We have 4 grandchildren, 3 boys and 1 girl. I love my two grand-dogs and feature them on my tatoo.
Q: Please tell us about your life and what you do (whether working in our community, a business owner, volunteer, etc.). How did you choose that path?
My husband and I opened a Culvers Frozen Custard in 1998. We were store #66. There are close to 1000 restaurants now. I sold the restaurant after my husband passed away in 2021. We were blessed to be connected to the Culvers family through a friend and owner of Culvers Waukesha. At 42, I went back to college for my Masters Degree and worked at Cornerstone Counseling for 17 years with a focus on AODA (Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse). February of 2019, my daughter Lindsay and I went into business together at All Counseling Services, and then COVID hit. We survived and are helping to meet the mental health needs of all ages in the Lake Country area.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
Getting to know people and becoming part of their lives is very special! I love hearing people’s stories and enjoy helping make a difference in their lives. Seeing people do better, feel better and live a richer, better life is rewarding. I always loved stories as a child and counseling work was a perfect fit. Energetically, I would think about a client and prepare to provide them the tools for a better life.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
I had some serious health issues in 2020. Making a full recovery was the most challenging goal of my life. With the help of a lot of people, especially my family, I was able to make a full recovery. I experienced a stroke, collapsed lung and had trouble breathing, and kidney failure. Dialysis wasn’t working which was the worst! I was on a ventilator and fighting sepsis. I could not speak, or walk, or move. Additionally, I was hallucinating and couldn’t tell what was reality.
There were many challenging moments, especially in the ICU where nurses were poking me every two hours to take vitals and I was scared and fearful. To say that physical therapy was a challenge is an understatement. From wheelchairs, Hoyer lifts, bed pans, to canes, the physical therapy was frustrating. It was also inspiring because the PT believed in me. During the two year journey, I lost my health, my husband, my sister, my brother, and 2 jobs. My life imploded!
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
The most rewarding part of my life was spending it with my husband, seeing my children become amazing adults and watching my grandchildren grow! Additionally, I am proud of the success I have made with healing my body and continuing to heal my spirit.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
I love to travel. I’ve just returned from a month in New Zealand. I have trips to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Bali and Alaska over the next 6 months. I also want to learn how to scuba dive.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
Running any business has a lot of challenges. Set your goal and keep pushing. Just when you think something is in the way that will stop you, keep persevering and it can come true!
Julie Allard & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
I love my neighbors in Delafield. The easy access to I-94, retail outlets, restaurants and the lakes. It is also very peaceful.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
Delafield Brewhaus, 5 O’Clock Club and Palmers.
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Welcoming, beautiful, active.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I read a lot, and have hundreds of books that I’ve collected. Personally, I love cars and own four: a Hellcat (a Nascar type vehicle), a 2000 Thunderbird with classic plates, a 1932 Ford Coupe with original title, and my Lincoln. I love drag races!
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
Ken Follett books. I love books that are about generations of families and I love historical fiction. Specifically “The Pillars of the Earth”, “World Without End”, and “A Column of Fire” (a trilogy).
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family. I try to be my best for them.
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
Any martini and I love wine, too!
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
My husband. I miss him terribly.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
My bucket list is being checked off now, and getting added to! I also want to tour on a yacht in the South Pacific visiting the Fiji Islands and Bali. I love the water. We used to own a 40 foot boat and were members of the South Shore Yacht Club. The Orient Express is another trip we wanted to do together and I will experience.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
Showing kindness, being with my family and friends.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Every day is a gift. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Hug those that you love a little tighter.
Where to Find Julie Allard
Email: jallfive@yahoo.com
