The funeral for Rupert A. Ulmer, 97, of Hosmer, is 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. John Lutheran Church in Hosmer. The Rev. Patrick A. Hahn will lead the worship. Burial in Bethany Cemetery.
Visitation is from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Gramm Funeral Home, 720 N. Sixth St., in Ipswich and one hour prior to the services at church on Monday.
Rupert was born to Edward and Anna Ulmer on June 3, 1915, at Menno, S.D. In the spring of 1917, they moved from their farm southeast of Menno to a farm 2 miles southeast of Hosmer, S.D., where he grew up. He attended grade school in Sangamon Township, high school in Hosmer and a year of college at Northern Normal College in Aberdeen, S.D., where he attained a teacher's certificate. Rupert went on to teach school in Sangamon Township for five years.
He married Orma Gross on April 11, 1937, in Hosmer. In 1940, they bought a farm 6 miles east and mile south of Hosmer, where their one son and five daughters were born and raised. They farmed there until 1983, when their son took over the farm and they retired to their home in Hosmer.
When Orma died in 2000, he continued to live in his home until February of this year, when ill health required a move to the Hosmer Senior Citizen's Home.
During his lifetime, Rupert was an active member of his community, serving on the Hosmer City Council, the school board, township board, county extension board and the Hosmer Co-op board. In his later years, he spent time with his children and grandchildren, played cards with friends and enjoyed dancing. He was a lifetime member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Hosmer and had served on the church council.
Rupert died Thursday, April 18, 2013, surrounded by loving family, at the Bowdle Hospital.
His constant quiet presence will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Rupert is survived by his son, Darwin (Kay) Ulmer, of Roscoe, S.D.; daughters: Lora DeWald of Sioux Falls, S.D., Evelyn (Donovan) Twite of DeSmet, S.D., Ileen (Doug) Lindner of Warroad, Minn., Patty (John) Beyers of Roscoe, and Carolyn (Don) Lang of Aberdeen, S.D; sister-in-law, Elsie Ulmer, of Lino Lakes, Minn.; brother-in-law, Joe Geier, of Aberdeen; 24 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great-grandchildren, as well as many wonderful friends.
His parents, Edward and Anna; his wife, Orma; brother, Allen; sisters: Gertrude Preszler, Flora Gaub Jung, Gloria Geier and Virginia Meier; grandson, Russell Ulmer; and son-in-law, Clarence DeWald; preceded him in death.
Arrangements with Gramm Funeral Home. Guest registry at grammfuneralhome.com.