Clifford Ulmer of Oelrichs, SD, passed away November 10, 2012, at the VA Medical Center in Hot Springs, SD.
Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m., Wednesday, November 14th at McColley’s Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs, SD, and one hour prior to the funeral service, November 15th at Prairie View Methodist Church north of Oelrichs. Funeral services will be Thursday, November 15th at 11:00 a.m., at the Prairie View Methodist Church with Pastor Paul Smith officiating. Interment will be at the Hillside Cemetery in Oelrichs with military services performed by the Chadron Veteran’s Honor Guard. A luncheon will follow interment at the Prairie View Church.
Clifford Ulmer was born in Hot Springs, SD on September 18, 1929, to Bert and Mary (Thomsen) Ulmer. Clifford spent most of his life in and around the Oelrichs area, except for about a year in Cabool, Missouri and two years serving his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. He attended grade school at the Pettegrew School until moving to Missouri. Upon returning from Missouri the family lived in Chadron, NE where he finished grade school and graduated from Chadron High School in 1947. He then worked for his uncle, Albert Christensen, and Hugh Miller until he went into farming and ranching on the home place southwest of Oelrichs where he had been raised.
Clifford and Connie (Trent) were married on August 2, 1955, in Rapid City, SD and two daughters were born to this union, Patricia Louise and Jane Marie. They lived on the ranch until 1988, when they moved into Oelrichs. In 1989, Clifford broke his hip and was always in discomfort with it. Thereafter he could no longer do a lot of things he had normally done. As a small boy he had an interest in collecting license plates and began his collecting in great earnest after breaking his hip. He devoted much of his time to this hobby, going to different state meetings as well as trading with other collectors. He was a member of the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, Dakotaland License Plate Collector Club and Wyoming License Plate Society. Clifford served on the Pettegrew School Board for several years, was a member of the Oelrichs American Legion Post #238 and was a member of the Oelrichs Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He loved to visit, especially about his time spent in the service. He also enjoyed playing cribbage, stream fishing in the Black Hills and going dancing.
On December 1, 2011, Clifford entered the Nursing Care Unit at the State Veteran’s Home in Hot Springs, due to failing health. He remained there until November 5th when he was taken to the VA Medical Center, where he entered hospice care on November 8th.
Clifford is survived by his wife Connie of Oelrichs, daughters Patricia Harmon of Gillette, WY, Jane (Bill) Ramm of Chadron, NE, two granddaughters, Louise Harmon (Travis Burnett), and Linda (Howie) Carl, a great grandson, Cody Carl and a great granddaughter, Brooklyn Carl all of Gillette, WY and two nephews of Gardena, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Fern Muse and husband Bob, a son-in-law, Tom Harmon and nephew, Larry Muse.
A memorial has been established for the Oelrichs Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service.
Online condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.
McColley’s Chapel of the Hills is in charge of arrangements.