Raymond Ulmer

Funeral services for Raymond Ulmer were held on Monday, June 3, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Winner Methodist Church in Winner, SD.

Burial was in the Winner City Cemetery in Winner, SD. Mason funeral Home in Winner, SD, was in charge of arrangements.

Raymond Jerald Ulmer was born March 18, 1931 to Albert and Hilda (Knittel) Ulmer in Gregory, SD. Ray lived a part of his younger years, growing up and going to country school south of Gregory and south of Burke. In 1945 Ray was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. When he was out of grade school, he would work for the neighbors picking corn and doing odd jobs. Ray taught himself how to play the accordion and the harmonica. When he was 16 years old, he would play for house parties on the weekend.

In 1949 he started working for Peter Kewett Construction until 1952 when he enlisted in the Air Force. He did his Basic Training at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. He then transferred to Berg Storm Air Force Base in Austin, TX. Ray then transferred to a supply and parts school in Cheynne, WY where he stayed for three months. Ray was stationed on a tour of duty in Omise Japan. In Japan he worked in supply and parts for air craft maintenance.

In 1956 he was honorably discharged as a staff Sargent in Austin, TX. After the service, Ray moved back to Gregory, SD. There he met Clara Belle Shutt and they were married on November 3, 1956. Ray, Clara and son Morris moved to Johnstown, CO, where he worked on a dairy and irrigation farm. While in Colorado, a daughter named Connie Marie was born. After a year in Colorado the family moved back to Gregory.

Ray worked for the Kaupp Brothers ranch. Ray then went to work for Steve and Mabel Sharkey on a farm east of Winner. There three more children joined the family; Cheryl Elaine, Diane Rae, and Gregg Leon.

In 1971 the family moved to Winner. Ray worked for Grossenburg Implement as a parts man. He later worked at Lapsley farm raising pheasants. Ray worked there for about a year. He then went to work at the City of Winner for the street department.

After retiring from the City of Winner he drove cars for Harry K’s. Usually, two people would go. Ray always carried a harmonica in his shirt pocket and if he wasn’t driving, he was playing it for the person who was driving. Ray drove until his hands got too bad with arthritis.

Ray enjoyed working, having a garden, and having grand and greatgrandkids around to play his harmonica to. He also enjoyed fishing and going anywhere with his brothers.

Raymond Ulmer, age 93, of Winner, SD, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024, at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Center in Winner, SD.

Ray is preceded in death by his wife Clara; son Morris; parents Albert and Hilda (Knittel) Ulmer; parents-in-law Alvin and Florence Shutt; brothers: Harold, Larry, and Wayne; brothers-in-law: Don Vaughn, Joe Perryman, Art Shutt, Duane Shutt, Jerry Shutt; a great-great-grandson; and sisters-in-law: Irma Ulmer, Leola Ulmer, and Ginger Shutt.

Ray is survived by brother Ralph; sisters: Lou Vaughn, Darlene (Wally) Bachmann, Norma Perryman; sisters-in-law: Nola Ulmer, Diane Ulmer, Fran Shutt, and Carol Shutt; brothers-in-law: Robert Shutt, Jim (Gayla) Shutt, and Paul (Maureen) Shutt; children: Connie (John) Blazina, Cheryl (Mike) Eilmes, Diane (JR) Schroeder, and Gregg (Shawn) Ulmer; daughter-in-law Diane Shutt; many grandkids, greatgrandkids, and great-great-grandkids; and many nieces and nephews.