Mary Ursula Ulmer

Mary Ursula Ulmer (nee Anderson)

April 24, 1926 – January 3, 2019

Peacefully, at home surrounded by family, Mary passed away Thursday, January 3, 2019.  Dearly loved wife of Alan Jacob Ulmer.  Beloved mother of Linda Jean, Brian (Martha) and Cheryl (Danny). Doting grandmother to Catherine (James), Elizabeth and Rebecca Ulmer, James (Zoe), and Peter Flahive.  She was aunt to many nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by her sister Elizabeth Speight and parents Jane and Thomas Anderson.  Born April 24, 1926 in Hatherleigh,Sk, Mary was raised on a farm in the Square Hill district.  Daughter of immigrant parents from Northern England, Mary’s life is truly a prairie tale.  She often regaled her grandchildren with stories of helping her father in the fields, and travelling with her sister to school riding horses bareback or driving a horse drawn cutter sleigh. Mary boarded in North Battleford to attend the Catholic Convent High School and then completed her education at the Saskatoon Business College. In 1946 Mary began work as a secretary in public health clinics in Pierceland and Meadow Lake.  Before Saskatchewan had universal medicine, the provincial government established community health clinics to care for children and expectant mothers and Mary was proudly part of this ground breaking experiment.  Mary and Alan married in Lloydminster in 1949, living first in Meadow Lake and moving to North Battleford in 1955.  In addition to being an exceptional mother, Mary contributed to her community as a member of the Rebekah Lodge together with countless hours spent fundraising for the North Battleford City Kinsmen Band.  She loved summers at the family cabin at Meota, Jackfish Lake, where she and Alan braved choppy waters in a small motor boat to attend parties across the lake, and Mary’s Pink Ladies afternoon cocktails were a favourite among neighbouring mothers tired of running after small children.  Mary was skilled at sewing, knitting, and crocheting and this led to her working for a number of years at Grobman’s fabric and ladies dress store in North Battleford.  Throughout her life Mary was always full of optimism and great love for her family and this no doubt contributed to her long life. Special thanks to Dr. A. Dunhin and the staff at Battlefords Union hospital for their wonderful care. At Mary’s request, there will be no funeral; a private family memorial will take place at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Eternal Memories, North Battleford, Sk