Marilyn Joan Ulrich

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
MARILYN J. ULRICH

BORN: February 23, 1933 ~ Humboldt, Iowa
PASSED AWAY: October 29, 2019 ~ Sheldon, Iowa

MEMORIAL SERVICE
10:30 A.M. Wednesday, November 6, 2019
St. Patrick Catholic Church; Sheldon, Iowa
Father Siby Punnoose ~ Officiating

Visitation
will be on hour prior to the service
from 9:30am to 10:30am
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
at St. Patrick Catholic Church
in Sheldon, Iowa

MUSIC
“I Can Only Imagine”
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
“Be Not Afraid”
“Prayer of St. Francis”
“Here I am, Lord”
“O Loving God” ~ Song of Farewell
“On Eagle’s Wings”
Cantor: Jim Gude
Organist: Laura Wagner

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
“Grandchildren”
Tyler De Jong Lindsay Layman
Parker Ulrich Lexy Ulrich Justin Ulrich

FINAL RESTING PLACE
St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery ~ Sheldon, Iowa

In Lieu of flowers, Marilyn has requested
a donation in her name to:
St. Patrick Catholic Church in Sheldon, Iowa,
St. Jude’s Children Hospital
or a Humane Society of your Choice

After today’s graveside service relatives and friends
are invited to join the family in the
fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements are under the care of the:
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa
Marilyn Joan Ulrich, was born and raised in Humboldt, County Iowa; the daughter of Neill and Selma (Green) Ruse. In high school she was a beautiful Soprano and was in Choir, Trio Mixed Chorus and Duet. She went to many contests and won awards for her voice. She graduated from Humboldt High School in 1951. Marilyn was united in marriage to Earle V. Ulrich from Dakota City, Iowa on June 21, 1952, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Humboldt. While Earle was serving his country, Marilyn stayed at home in Humboldt and worked as a dental assistant. When Earle returned home from the service they moved to Sheldon, Iowa where she worked as a teacher’s aide for 24 years at East Elementary. Her Lupus made her quit before she really wanted to. She also volunteered a lot at St. Patrick’s School. To this union 3 children were born, Douglas, Steven and Mary Ann. Earle preceded her in death on April 11, 2010, Marilyn remained in her home until moving into Fieldcrest in March of 2018. Marilyn passed away on October 29, 2019 at Sanford Sheldon Senior Care in Sheldon, reaching the age of 86 years, 8 months and 6 days.
She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Sheldon, Iowa and was a 60-year member of the Ladies Guild. She was also a member of the Eagles in Sheldon and the Sheldon Country Club where she even had a hole-in-one in 1982. Marilyn loved her pets and animals, flowers and rides in the rain, she enjoyed cards.
She leaves to cherish her memories her 3 children, Douglas Earle Ulrich of Superior, WI, his son, Justin and grandson, Julian; Steven Ruse (Barb) Ulrich of Ankeny, IA, their children, Parker and Lexy (and her friend, Nicole); Mary Ann (Scott) Jensen of Sheldon, IA, and their children, Tyler De Jong, Lindsay (Adam) Layman and their children, Kennedi, Chloe, Amelia, Annabelle and several nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life of 58 years her husband, Earle; her parents, a sister, Shirley Olsen, her in-laws, Elmer E. and Zulah A. (Stewart) Ulrich and many brothers & sisters-in-law.
Marilyn would like to thank her children and spouses, grandchildren and many great friends for staying by her side through the years of illnesses and surgeries and to her amazing friends that picked her up for coffee/meals. To St. Patrick’s people for bringing her communion when she could no longer attend mass. To Brenda her hairdresser, who tried hard to replace her last few hairs. To Fieldcrest Assisted Living, the amazing staff, for all of the help, care and love.





I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path
God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
to laugh, to love, to work, or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that peace at close of day.

If my parting has left a void,
then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I’ve savored much,
good friends, good times,
a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and share with me,
God wanted me now; He set me free.