Donna J. Ulrich, 78 of Devils Lake formerly of rural Garske, ND died peacefully on Monday evening, October 27, 2008 at Mercy Hospital with her family at her side and while her daughter, Marian journeyed home, Marian sensed her Mom’s journey to eternal life.
Funeral Services for Donna will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Timothy Stout will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.
Serving as Casket Bearers for Donna will be: John Sletteland, Rudi Bloomquist, John Nord, Dean Hovern, Jim Berg, Merle Henke, Norman Henschel and Dave Erickstad.
Honorary Bearers will be all Odd Fellows and Rebekahs.
Music will be provided by Dennis J. Dockter, soloist and Lynda Pearson, organist
Donna Jean was born on May 13, 1930, the daughter of Otto and Francis (Pollock) Steltz in Lockwood Township, Roberts County, South Dakota, where she was raised to adulthood. She was baptized July 6, 1930 and confirmed October 15, 1944 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Geneseo Township, Roberts County, South Dakota. She attended elementary school in a country school and graduated from Big Stone City High School in 1948. After graduation, Donna worked in a bank in Ortonville, MN. Donna met and married the love of her life, Darold Ulrich on June 4, 1950 at the First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville and they lived in Big Stone City, South Dakota. In the spring of 1952, they moved to a farm in rural Big Stone City where they lived until 1954 when they moved to North Dakota where they lived, worked and raised their family through the years. They established their home in a farm north and west of Garske, where their daughter Cathy would eventually make her home and in 1964 they bought a farm one mile west of Garske. They moved to Devils Lake in 1984 and their son, Mark moved onto this farm. For the past 24 years, Donna and Darold have called Devils Lake their home. After moving to Devils Lake, Donna began teaching piano to many local students. After teaching for 19 years, Donna was forced to retire in 2004 due to her health.
Donna was a former member of Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Church, Starkweather where she taught Sunday School for many years and was also very active in the WELCA and served as an officer. After moving to Devils Lake the family joined St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and Donna also remained very active in the church and was a Sunday School teacher. Donna was also a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs and was a very active member of the Olive Branch Rebekah Lodge #9 where she served as Noble Grand. She served as President of the Rebekah Assembly in 1994-95, 1995-96 and is a Past President of the LAPM.
Music was Donna’s passion and this talent and love of music was so generously shared with others and especially her children and grandchildren. When living on the farm, Donna worked side by side with her husband and family. When she wasn’t cooking and cleaning, Donna enjoyed working in her flower garden and doing decorative painting.
We will truly miss her presence here on earth but celebrate her new life with songs of praise and thanksgiving.
Donna is survived by her husband of 58 years, Darold
Children: Marian Nowakowski and her husband, Tony of Lincoln, California
Cathy Henschel and her husband, Bob of Webster, ND
Mark Ulrich and his wife, Wendy also of Webster
Charles Ulrich and his wife, Kristi of Fargo
Her mother, Francis Steltz of the Odd Fellows Home in Devils Lake and formerly of Big Stone City, SD
Grandchildren: Angela (Eric) Noordam, Brian Nowakowski; Dena (Cody) Armstrong, Bobbie Jo Henschel, Katie Henschel; Daniel Ulrich, Nicholas Ulrich; Sydney Ulrich and Wyatt Ulrich;
Great Grandchildren: Natalie, Makayla and Breanna Noordam;
Brother: Robert Steltz and his wife, Sharon of Big Stone City, South Dakota
Special Friends, Dean and Shirley Hovern of Devils Lake;
Kim Brown of Sheyenne, ND;
Rev. Roger and Sonja Leonhardt of Devils Lake
Jean Marie (Henschel) and Richard Stockton of Glendale, Arizona
Norman Henschel of Fargo
Several nieces, nephews and their families also survive.
Donna was preceded in death by her father, Otto P. Steltz