Obituary of Irene Ulmer

Irene A. Ulmer, age 92 of Menno, SD passed away Sunday, January 21, 2024 at the Menno-Olivet Care Center, Menno, SD.  Funeral services will be 10:30 am, Saturday, January 27, at Grace Lutheran Church in Menno with Rev. Morgan Hendershott and Rev. Michael Hecht officiating. Burial will follow at the Menno Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral services are under the direction of Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Menno, SD. Online condolences may be sent at www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. Livestreaming of Irene’s services may be viewed at https://my.gather.app/remember/irene-ulmer.

Irene Alice Mehlhaf was born September 10, 1931, to Reinhold and Ida (Schatz) Mehlhaf. She was baptized on November 1, 1931, and confirmed on June 17, 1945, at Zion Reformed Church rural Menno. Irene attended country school and graduated from Menno High School in 1949.

On November 8, 1953, she was united in marriage to Arthur Ulmer at Zion Reformed Church. To this union four children were born: Kathryn, Robert, Joanne, and Bruce. They farmed southeast of Menno for over 50 years. In 2013 they moved into Menno.

Irene always looked forward to her class reunions. She also enjoyed going to Sioux Falls or anywhere to shop with her daughter Joanne. Irene also enjoyed her job at the Menno Sale Barn where she worked with Goldie Anderson, Alitha Pollman, JoAnn Walter and Arden Dewald. Irene kept busy as a homemaker and mother, gardening, canning, and baking. She enjoyed embroidery and cross stich until her eyesight got too bad.

Grateful for having shared her life are Kathryn (Kevin) Hakl of Scotland, SD; Robert (Bev) Ulmer of Tabor SD: Stephanie (Tyler) Ellis, Brittany (Tony) Shelburg – Cora, Kena, Lindsay Ulmer, Scott (Kate) Ulmer, Joanne (Darrell) Hora of Menno, SD: Jason (Sam) Larson – Irish, Tommy; Eric Larson; Bruce (Bev) Ulmer of Yankton, SD: Logan Ulmer, Cody (TyAnn) Ulmer – Wrenyn, Brad (Josy) Ulmer. Sisters-in-law: Viola (Wilmer) Mehlhaf, Betty (Karl) Mehlhaf, LaVerna (Roy) Ulmer, and Donna (Ulmer) Mouser. Irene’s great grandchildren will be growing in 2024: in February twin girls for Brad and Josy, in March a girl for Scott and Kate, and in April a boy for Cody and TyAnn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Art in 2020, siblings Karl Mehlhaf in February of 1987, and Wilmer Mehlhaf in December of 1987.