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Juel Ulven

November 13, 1946 - August 19, 2022

Juel Ulven Juel Ulven
  • VISITATION
    August 28, 2022 | 1:00 to 6:00 P.M.
  • Yurs Funeral Home
    405 E. Main Street
    St. Charles, Illinois 60174
  • Funeral
  • Burial Location
    Private

On November 13th in 1946, Juel Ulven, was born (literally) in a barn. Son of Ruben and Eveleth, he was raised on a rural farm in Moorhead, Minnesota.
Juel joined the Navy at 17, where he attended school for radar and electronics, and where his love of folk music began. The school was well stocked with folk albums, and before long Juel was shipping them home by the case. Located just a 45 min drive from San Francisco, Juel often hopped on a bus from the base to head downtown and listen to live music in various bars and lounges. After completing Navy “A” school he was deployed to the USS Nicholas-DD-449, the fastest (and oldest) destroyer in the fleet based at Pearl Harbor. There, Juel met kindred spirits that grew and fostered his love of music while he traveled around the world fighting in the Vietnam war. When he left the Navy in 1967, he attended College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and later graduated in 1969. From there he moved to the Chicago area to begin a 33-year career as an engineer for Bell Labs.
In 1975 he made his first big move in the Chicago folk scene when he founded the “Fox Valley Folklore Society” to support and perpetuate Folk Music. This was just the beginning of Juel’s great and many contributions to the Folk Community, and he will be sorely missed and well-remembered by many, many people whose lives he has touched through his relentless pursuit of music and folklore.
On May 23rd, 1981, he married the love of his life, Jessica Laffey, in the backyard of her parents’ home in Benton Harbor, Michigan. While continuing to work for Bell Labs, grow and foster the Fox Valley Folklore Society, and help raise a beautiful family, Juel still found more interests to pursue. He was also a large collector of folklore literature, as well as bluegrass banjos, guitars, and other folk instruments. He became passionate about restoring well-loved instruments, and spent much of his “retirement” years working at Cremer Guitarworks, repairing delicate inlays, replacing knobs and frets and bringing them back to their prime. At home the evidence of his craft could be found in scattered bottles of glue, or chisels discarded on the dining table, and his cheerful whistle could be heard throughout the home, a bit off beat. Not only does he leave behind a grieving family, but also a massive community of amazing friends.
Along with founding The Fox Valley Folklore Society that has presented over 3000 Folklife events, he was also the president of the Aural Tradition Folk Music Society, a founding member of The City of Lights Ukulele Society and Festival, in addition to too many other contributions to possibly list. He was that pebble in the lake, whose ripples have reached so very far and wide. He was larger than life and one of a kind.
In September 2019 he was diagnosed with stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma, which he later learned was caused by multiple exposures to Agent Orange during his time in the war. Though his prognosis was grim, Juel exceeded everyone’s expectations, as he often has, by continuing for several more years with the same fearless enthusiasm and ready smile that he always had. He seemed to have found the secret to unending optimism and fortitude, but even the indomitable Juel was eventually no match for pneumonia. Though he fought valiantly for months after falling ill, he finally said his goodbyes and passed away peacefully at 9:30pm on August 19th surrounded by his beloved family, at the age of 75 years.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jessica Laffey, his sons (of whom he was very proud) Zach [Paige] and John [Viri], grandchildren Violet, Killian, Weston and Adeline, his brother Rodney [Jean] and sister Karen. His Memorial Service will be held at Yurs Funeral Home in St. Charles on Sunday, August 28th from 1:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Friends and family are invited to perform a song or tell a story in honor of our beloved Juel throughout the visitation.

Condolences


Liz Carson from Geneva, IL

"My heart is broken to hear the news about Juel. I am so sorry for your loss.I met Juel in 1976 when I was 16 years old. My mom dropped me off at the Methodist church for my first Folklore Society meeting. I was scared to death. When I opened up the side door I heard the music so knew where to go (the basement) and I stood outside the doors but couldn't go in and then this nice man came out and introduced himself to me and walked in with me. If Juel hadn't of done that I probably would have never had the career in music that I had. Because of the Folklore society I got more and more confidence to play in front of people. Juel was a one of a kind. He had a wonderful life doing what he loved. What a lucky man he was. He touched so many lives I hope he knew that. The last time I saw him was at Cremer music working on instruments in 2017. Still the same guy I met when I was 16. My deepest condolences to his family."


Karsten Koepcke from Naperville, IL

"I am very sad to learn of Juel's passing. I knew him for many years at the Warrenville ITN. He was always cheerful with a smile on his face and had something good to say. He will be missed.My deepest condolences to his family"


Sam Byerly from Yorkville, IL

"Juel introduced me to the folklore community when I first moved to the Chicagoland area in 1990. Over night I went from being a total stranger to an integral member of this wonderful tribe of musicians, songwriters, story tellers and historians. He was kind, accepting and always encouraging to folklore enthusiasts from all walks of life. I am so happy to have known him."


Karma Grotelueschen from La Valle, WI

"Juel's gift to us was varied and boundless. It is ours now to pass on in any way large or small that we can."


Annie Reinke from Richmond, VA

"I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss, Jessi. May all the happy memories and the legacy of your children and grandchildren help you through these difficult times. Sending love and hugs to you."


David Reynolds from Charlottesville, VA

"I met Juel at one of the early Fox Valley Folk Fests in 1982. I was involved in what was then The Old Quarter Coffee House. The excitement in those days was contagious. All of these people finding each other and creating another “folk scare” 20 years after the first. These communities don’t just happen and they usually have some type of catalyst. Juel was that catalyst. His involvement in “Come for to Sing '' magazine, the amazing Sunday afternoon concerts at Michaelangelo’s, the dances and the sing-arounds helped move the folk community forward. He set the tone that attracted people to this community. It was a safe place in what at times was not a nice world. I have some fantastic memories and I still remain excited about the future of folk music and I can thank Juel for that."


Dan Leski from Schaumburg, IL

"My feelings about Juel are summarized in a song I wrote for his 60th birthday and have recently updated:FOX VALLEY JEWELThere's been music in the park every Labor Day 'til dark on an island in Geneva, Illinois. And the man who ran the stage said "folk music's all the rage". It's been his passion since he was a boy.CHORUS: He's Juel of Fox Valley Folklore, leader of that rather motley crew. He's a diamond in the rough, but we'll never get enough of the music that he brings to me and you.Every Wednesday in a bar folks from near and far gather in a circle to share songs. Though he rarely plays or sings, there's a spirit that he brings so everybody feels that they belong.ChorusHe was an engineer by trade 'cause the music rarely paid. He helped publish 'Come For to Sing'. He ran sound at the U of C broadcast over 'FMT and banjos were among his favorite things.CHORUSHe passed on the other day, so we've gathered here to pray that his legacy lives on, God willin'. If it's true that in the end wealth is measured by your friends, he was the richest folkie after Dylan.CHORUSMy condolences to his family."


Ed Ellis from La Grange, IL

"Loved my involvement with Juel supporting the Fox Valley Folk Festival. It really was Juel. What a fine person."


Joyce Maldonado from Plano , IL

"I was so saddened to hear of Juel’s passing. Such a beloved man to so many. We will all miss him. May he Rest In Peace 💔"


Drew Carson from Aurora, IL

"So who am I going to talk to when I have a question about science, banjos, the plug gap on a `66 Mustang or five hundred other things? Because of the FVFS I met a few people that changed my life. Juel, there are too many things to list so I'll just have to say thanks for everything."


Patrick Brown from Oak Park, IL

"Juel and I met when we reported for our first day of employment at Bell Laboratories in Naperville, IL on 6/9/69. We became friends, and Juel introduced me to the wide world of folk music. He was a good teacher, and I also learned about photography, auto repair, and woodworking from him. When I needed help replacing the clutch on my ‘67 Chevelle late on a Sunday night, Juel was there. He was unfailingly kind, helpful, respectful, and optimistic to all — a very fine man, indeed. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones…"


Rick Sparber from Phoenix , AZ

"I am proud to say that I knew Juel for most of my 28 years at Bell Labs. I have only fond memories of that relationship."


Annie Luginbill from Highlands Ranch, CO

"I had only a brief correspondence with Juel but knew he was the repository of old Come For To Sing publications, and I had hoped he'd get better, get home, and be able to get them out of his house and into ours...I did not realize the full extent of his illness and send my deepest condolences to his family."


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