Donetta Ulrich
Donetta M. Ulrich, 92, formerly of Stratford, peacefully passed away on March 5, 2022, at Stoney River Assisted Living in Marshfield.
Born on February 5, 1930, in Marshfield, Donetta Marie was the eldest daughter of Herman and Mary (Anna-Marie Happli) Oertel. Donetta was an early graduate of Marshfield Sr. High School (class of 1947) followed by employment at the school and WDLB radio station. On May 23, 1953, she married Robert H. Ulrich at Zion Lutheran Church in Stratford.
Donetta enjoyed a long and active life. Along with her hobbies of gardening, canning, sewing, dancing, bowling and golfing, she was a community leader in many service organizations including Girl Scouts, Women’s Homemakers Club, Stratford Women’s Bowling Association and Luther League. Not shying away from a new idea, Donetta helped initiate Germanfest (annual fundraiser) and “He Lived the Good Life” (first ecumenical service) in Stratford. She was a charter member of the Stratford Area Historical Society. Supporting her husband in business adventures and leisure travel, Donetta was passionate about serving others. Vacations around the world often had a purpose of finding information or helping others. If anyone needed an answer, “Ask Donetta” was a common response as she kept meticulous records of community events throughout the decades.
Donetta is survived by her husband of 68 years, Bob, and their five children: Dale (Adele) Ulrich of Phoenix, Ariz., Cheryl (Bob) Martines of St. Charles, Ill., Lori (Don) Uthmeier of Stratford, Beth (Tom) Griffith of Venice, Fla., and Jody (Chad) Arnow of Dayton, Ohio. Blessed with ten grandchildren, Donetta was able to pass on her legacy with family traditions and history documentation. Her ten surviving grandchildren are Alec, Amanda and Annie Martines; Karl, Sam and Henry Uthmeier; Matt and Jake Griffith; and Nate and Grace Arnow.
She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Fritz Ulrich of Stratford; sisterin- law, Bonnie (Pat) Buchberger of Mosinee; and her nieces and nephews. Donetta was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Jeanine Huebner-Martinson, and sister-in-law, Nancy Ulrich.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at Rembs Funeral Home in Marshfield. Visitation will begin at noon, a service to follow at 2 p.m. Donetta will be interred at Zion Lutheran Church cemetery immediately following the service.
Memorial gifts can be made to the Germanfest Memorial Fund of Zion Lutheran Church, Stratford. Special thanks go to Heartland Hospice Care and the staff at Stoney River Assisted Living for their compassionate care.
Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com Paid obituary 117752
