Raymond Jerald "Ray" Ulmer

Raymond "Ray" Ulmer, 93, of Winner, SD passed away on Monday, May 27th, 2024 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Center in Winner, SD. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 3rd, 2024 at 2:00PM at the Winner Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services.
Raymond Jerald Ulmer was born March 18th, 1931 to Albert and Hilda (Knittle) Ulmer in Gregory, SD. Ray lived a part of his younger years, growing up and going to country school South of Gregory and South of Burke. In 1945 Ray was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. When he was out of grade school, he would work for the neighbors picking corn and doing odd jobs. Ray taught himself how to play the accordion and the harmonica. When he was 16 years old, he would play for house parties on the weekend.
In 1949, he worked for Peter Kewett Construction until 1952 when he enlisted in the Air Force. He did his Basic Training at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. He then transferred to Berg Storm Air Force Base in Austin, TX. Ray then transferred to a supply and parts school in Cheynne, WY where he stayed for 3 months. Ray was stationed on a tour of duty in Omise Japan. In Japan he worked in supply and parts for air craft maintenance. While in Japan, Ray and some of his buddies went to Tokyo and they drank some rice wine called Sah-Keh.
In 1956 he was honorarily discharged as a staff Sargent in Austin, TX. After the service Ray moved back to Gregory, SD. There he met the love of his life, Clara Belle Shutt. They were married on November 3rd, 1956. Ray, Clara and son Morris moved to Johnstown Colorado, where he worked on a dairy and irrigation farm. While in Colorado a daughter named Connie Marie was born. After a year in Colorado the family moved back to Gregory.
Ray worked for the Kaupp Brothers ranch. Ray then went to work for Steve and Mabel Sharkey on a farm east of Winner. There three more children joined the family; Cheryl Elaine, Diane Rae, & Gregg Leon.
In 1971 the family moved to Winner. Ray worked for Grossenburg Implement as a parts man. He later worked at Lapsley farm raising pheasants. Ray worked there for about a year. He then went to work at the City of Winner for the street department.
After retiring from the City of Winner he drove cars for Harry K's. Usually, 2 people would go. Ray always carried a harmonica in his shirt pocket and if he wasn't driving, he was playing it for the person who was driving. Ray drove until his hands got too bad with arthritis.
Ray enjoyed working, having a garden, & having Grand and Great Grand kids around to play his harmonica to. He also enjoyed fishing and going anywhere with his brothers.
Ray is preceded in death by his wife, Clara, son Morris, parents Albert and Hilda (Knittle) Ulmer, parents in law, Alvin and Florence Shutt, brothers Harold, Larry, & Wayne, brother in laws, Don Vaughn, Joe Perryman, Art Shutt, Duane Shutt, Jerry Shutt, and a Great Great grandson, sister in laws, Irma Ulmer, Leola Ulmer, and Ginger Shutt.
Ray is survived by brother, Ralph, sisters Lou Vaughn, Darlene (Wally) Bachmann, Norma Perryman, sister in laws, Nola Ulmer, Diane Ulmer, Fran Shutt, and Carol Shutt, brother in laws, Robert Shutt, Jim (Gayla) Shutt, Paul (Maureen) Shutt. Surviving children Connie (John) Blazina, Cheryl (Mike) Eilmes, Diane (JR) Schroeder, and Gregg (Shawn) Ulmer. Daughter in law, Diane Shutt. Many grand kids, great grand kids, and great great grand kids. Also, many nieces and nephews. Ray will greatly be missed by all.