Ulrich, Rudy J.

ULRICH, VAN WYNGARDEN, PATTERSON

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/18/2005 at 20:54:08

Funeral services for Rudy J. Ulrich, 88, of Pella were held February 10 at the Second Reformed Church in Pella, the Rev. Sophie Mathonnet-Vander Well and Rev. Stephen Mathonnet-Vander Well officiated. Music was provided by organist Dr. Davis Folkerts and soloist Mr. Dale Jansen.

Interment was at the Oakwood Cemetery in Pella. Casket bearers were "Former Business Employees" - Howard Duinink, Arvin Kelderman, Charles Vander Waal, Carl Van Steenis, Bruce Vos, and Stanley Vroom. Honorary bearers were Martin Heerema, Klaas In't Veld, Earl Pohlmann, Robert Power, A.F. Tysseling, Verle Ver Dught, and Martin Visser.

Rudolph John (Rudy) Ulrich was born on September 24, 1914, in Pella. He was the son of John and Emma (Van Wyngarden) Ulrich, Jr. Rudy's paternal grandfather, John Ulrich, was one of Pella's early founders (1869) and originator of world famous Pella bologna.

Rudy graduated from Pella High School and then enrolled at Central University of Iowa (Central College) in Pella. Rudy participated in and continued as a strong supporter of athletics and sports programs. While attending Central College, Rudy was a sports reporter for The Pella Chronicle, Oskaloosa Herald and Des Moines Register & Tribune. After his second year at Central he and his father started Ulrich Motor Company in Pella in 1935.

On November 30, Thanksgiving Day, 1939, he and Velma Arlene (Pat) Patterson were united in marriage in the Little Brown Church at Nashua. To this union two sons were born: Jerry Lee on February 7, 1941 and Robert John on August 15, 1944.

Rudy played second baseman for the Pella Merchants classic softball team until he was 36 years of age and coached his sons on the Kiwanis little league team from the first year of that sports program in Pella. Rudy continued to manage and own the Ford-Mercury-Lincoln and Ford Tractor dealership in Pella where Pat worked as the bookkeeper for a short time. While the Ulrich Motor Company dealership lived up to its reputation as "The Dealer On The Square", a larger building was needed prompting the business to move to the west edge of Pella in 1969. Rudy retired in 1985 when he sold the franchise to Charles Vander Waal. Throughout the fifty years that Rudy was a Ford Dealer he was a respected businessman in the community. He held various positions of responsibility with Ford Company, and was a member of the National Ford Dealer Council where he served as the Vice-Chairman of the Central Region.

Rudy was active in a number of business and civic activities. He was a charter member and club president of the Pella Kiwanis Club. He was a long-time member of the Pella Masonic Lodge No. 55 A.F. and A.M. and was received into the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine Temple in 1967. Rudy helped organize and was elected the first president of the Central Club, one of the most successful small college booster clubs in the country.

Rudy was a highly recognized character in Pella's Tulip Time parades. He was a part of every festival during its 67 year history either driving convertibles for Tulip Time notables and after World War II as the "scharen slijpen" (scissors sharpener). He participated in men's bowling leagues and joined with his wife, Pat, in couples bowling leagues for years.

On January 13, 2002 his wife of 62 years, Pat, suffered an apparent fatal heart attack at their residence in Pella, and passed away upon arrival at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella at the age of 83 years.

On Thursday morning, February 6, Rudy passed away at the Pella Regional Health Center. Rudy was a life-long member of the Second Reformed Church in Pella.

When the Pella Golf and Country Club organized in 1946, Rudy was on the first board of directors, was club President several times and held almost every other office. His last hole-in-one happened when he was 72 years of age.

He is survived by his son, Jerry L. Ulrich and his wife Phyllis (Walraven) of Lakeville, Minn. and their family: Julie (Ulrich) and Douglas Mosley and their two daughters: Jessica and Maurina Mosley of Burnsville, Minn.; and his son Robert J. Ulrich of Cedar Rapids, Ia. He also leaves his older sister, Thelma (Ulrich) Cunningham of East Lansing, Mich.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat and his parents, John and Emma Ulrich.

Arrangements were handled by Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella.

Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Pella Comfort House.

The Pella Chronicle, February 21,2003