Helen M. Ulrich

Helen M. Ulrich, age 87, passed away at her home surrounded by family on Sunday, May 15, 2016. She was born on April 28, 1929 in Little Chute to the late Joseph and Christine (Von Feldt) Riedel. She was united in marriage on October, 29, 1949 with Laurence Ulrich.

Mom was a tireless worker on behalf of her family. She literally was the glue that bound our large and diverse family together. One of her most important goals each summer was to arrange the family reunion with families coming from across the country to attend. We have countless pictures to commemorate those events. Some of her favorite things included the birds and numerous wildlife that frequented her backyard, her pets over the years, including her dog, “Puddin” who was a true companion after many of the kids left home. She also loved cultivating many plants and flowers including spring bulbs, summer annuals and fall mums. One of her most treasured talents was her cooking and baking. The annual tradition of making family favorites like rice and tapioca puddings, pumpkin pie, banana bread and perhaps the most importantly, the batch of Christmas cookies. Mom many times had to multiply the recipes by four to five times to match the need for family and friends. Mom did enjoy making trips to visit family in Kansas, Texas Arkansas, The U.P., Michigan and Iowa. Her love of family was incredible and was an overarching theme of her life, concluding with her entire family by her side in the final days and hours.

Helen is survived by her husband, Laurence Ulrich; children: Larry Ulrich, Mary Kay Ulrich, Karen (John) Hovey, Cindy (Richard) Luft, Thomas (Wendy) Ulrich, Diane (Bruce) Burmeister, Sandra (Tim) Parker; grandchildren: Tia (Jason) Tapio, Ryun (Amy) Ulrich, Jacob Burmeister, Kari (Remi Soula) Burmeister, Katie Burmeister, Camille Parker, Casey Parker, Brandon (Carlye) Luft, Nicole (Fiancé Adam Olson) Luft, Alex Ulrich, Carter Ulrich; great grandchildren: Mariah Ulrich, Ethan Ulrich, Eric Ulrich, Dylun Tapio, Braydon Tapio, Tyler Tapio, Riley Tapio; step grandchildren: Josh (Julie) Burmeister, John (Merisha) Hovey Jr., Amiee (Chris Penge) Hovey; step great grandchildren: John Daniel Hovey, Bryce Burmeister, Grant Burmeister, Kayden Penge; brothers: Joseph (Marge) Riedel, William Riedel, James Riedel; sister: Patty (Tom) Heysyck. She is further survived by her extended family including her brothers-in-law: Tom LaCombe, Dan (Phyllis) LaCombe; sisters-in-law: Diane (John) Popp, Lorraine (Rick) Runsat, Susie Anderson, Mary Kaye (Tom) Fulcher, Celeste (Rob) Wiitanen, Jean Ann LaCombe, Pat Riedel, Kaye Riedel; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Helen was preceded in death by her mother and father-in-law Marie (Bray) and Joseph Bernard Ulrich; grandchildren: Jameson Parker and Mary Germaine Ulrich; brothers: David Riedel, John Riedel, Robert Riedel, Jerome Riedel; sister: Sharon Riedel; extended family members including Henrietta St. Martin LaCombe; brother-in-law: David LaCombe; niece: Molly Riedel; nephew: Rich Riedel.

The funeral liturgy for Helen will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday, May 20, 2016 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Menasha (528 Second St.). Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 19, from 4:00 until a recitation of the Rosary at 6:30 PM at Wichmann Funeral Home Laemmrich Chapel and again on Friday at church from 10:30 until the time of mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary Catholic Church in Menasha in Helen's name.

A very special thank you to Affinity hospice nurses and staff for gently and kindly taking care of mom and allowing us to help keep her home and comfortable. Also a sincere thank you to all of the Hewitt Street neighbors for the help, care and love. It is a true privilege to be a part of that neighborhood for 50 years.