Julienne Ann Weighter

Julienne Weighter, 72, One of the World’s First Kidney Transplants; a 57-Year Survivor Julienne Weighter, one of the first successful kidney transplant survivors in the world, died February 5, in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. She was 72. Born in Grand Forks, North Dakota on February 20, 1948 as the youngest of seven children, Julienne developed kidney disease at age 14. After an extended illness, local government officials arranged for her transport, along with her mother Evelyn, from the U.S. Air Force Base in Grand Forks to Richmond, Virginia where Doctor David Hume performed the operation, considered experimental at that time. The kidney was donated by her mother. Richmond was one of the three cities in the United States performing the controversial surgery in 1963. Julienne and her mother remained in Richmond until June 1964 while doctors continued to monitor her progress. She attended Cathedral Central High School there. She returned to Grand Forks, then relocated to Minneapolis for continued medical follow-up, graduating from St. Anthony of Padua High School in 1967. She then attended the University of Minnesota where she received a B.A. in Social Work. While attending the University, she became the first female security guard at the Minnesota State Capitol, working there from 1971 to 1973. After her college graduation, she was employed as a Principal Financial Worker in the Hennepin County Economic Assistance Department until 1979. Julienne returned to the University of Minnesota where she received a B.S. in Occupational Therapy. She was employed as an O.T. for 28 years working in the fields of pediatrics, homecare, occupational health and development, and physical disabilities. She was very active in the Minnesota Occupational Therapy Association. Julienne worked at several Twin Cities facilities and ended her career as an O.T. at Sister Kenney United Hospital in St. Paul in 2012. In 2000, Julienne received her second kidney transplant at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. It was donated by her brother Everett Weighter. Julienne married John Goggin in Minneapolis in 1973. Their daughter Alycia Goggin-Weighter was born in 1977. Julienne was a life-long lover of animals, especially dogs and cats. Over her lifetime she adopted many rescue animals. Fancy, her current dog, is a rescue animal from a puppy mill. Julienne’s parents Edmund F. Weighter and Evelyn A. (Ronkowski) Weighter are deceased. Survivors include her husband John, daughter Alycia (Brandon Tibbetts), grand-daughter Evelyn, step-daughter Jennifer (Eric Fowler), grand-sons Drew and Cole, siblings Everett Weighter of Brookings, Oregon, Nerus Weighter of Bellingham, Washington, James Weighter of Everett, Washington, and several nieces and nephews. Memorials should be sent to:Grey Face Rescue and Retirement 7316 Ridgewood Road St. Cloud, MN 56303 At a further time a memorial service celebrating Julienne's life will be held at St. Joan of Arc Church. Interment will be held in the St. Joan of Arc Memorial Garden.

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Julienne Ann Weighter

February 20, 1948

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