Donald Dale Ulmer

The family of Donald Dale Ulmer of Yankton, SD is saddened to announce his passing on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at the age of 82 years. Don was born in Hutchinson County on November 4, 1940 to Ruben and Lydia (Wollman) Ulmer. He spent his entire childhood working on the family farm near Menno, SD. After graduating from high school in 1958, he served one term in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA. Don then married and had five children with his first wife. He then married the love of his life, Lois Deets of Norfolk, NE on August 12, 1978. Don was an excellent carpenter and took great pride in his work. In his free time, he enjoyed building cabinets, homes, and refurbishing luxury boats at the Lewis and Clark Marina. Later in his life, he returned to farming and took over the family farm when his father retired. He and Lois enjoyed many years on the farm, caring for the livestock and crops. Don had a great love for hunting and fishing and was an enthusiastic outdoorsman. He looked forward to deer hunting season every year and shared this passion with his two sons. 

Don will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Lois of 45 years; his children, Kim Gorter (Rick), Kevin Ulmer, Kathy Hall (Jon), Karla Efird (Richard), Kenley Ulmer (Christine) and Dawn Huber (Neil); his brother, Ewald Ulmer; sisters-in-law, Sharon Zautke and Pat Huisman and brother-in-law, Wallace Deets (Karen). He leaves behind 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren and one very special fur baby, Willow.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ruben and Lydia Ulmer; his sister, Marjorie Grosz; brother-in-law, Verne Grosz; sister-in-law, Joann Ulmer; father and mother-in-law, Ernest and Florence Deets; brothers-in-law, Roger Deets, Duane Zautke and Veryl Huisman.

Visitation for Don will be held at the Goglin Funeral Home in Yankton on Sunday, August 13th from 5-7 p.m. The memorial service will be Monday, August 14th at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yankton at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service. Committal in Sturgis, SD at the Black Hills National Cemetery will be at a later date.