LA GRANGE
Ella May Newkirk Ulrich, 97, of La Grange IL died Friday, March 29. Born on April 22, 1921, in Seymour IN, she was married for 70 years to Norman; blessed with 3 children, Pamella (Bruce) Christensen, Penelope (Phillip) Stickney, and Kurt (Nancy) Ulrich; 10 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
She is remembered for faith in Jesus Christ and was funny, adventurous, caring, and much more.
The 3rd of 4 children, Ella May’s father, Edward L. Newkirk, was a well-known barber in Seymour, IN.
Ella May was preceded in death by her two older sisters, Marguerite Newkirk Nolting and Katherine Newkirk Noelker.
She is survived by her brother, Rabel Newkirk and his wife, Ruth, of Seymour IN, and a ‘twin’ cousin, Paul Borgman of Bartholomew County, IN.
Ella May attended Immanuel Lutheran Church and grade school; she graduated from Seymour High School; in her 12 years of school she missed only 1/2 day to attend her grandmother’s funeral.
In 1945 she married Norman Ulrich, from Western Springs IL, who served as a B17 pilot in WWII; Norman died in 2016, at the age of 95.
Ella May served as a Lutheran school secretary and was active for many years with the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, serving as Northern Illinois District secretary. She was a Girl Scout Leader and proud of her Troop 199.
A fantastic hostess, she and Norman often entertained. Good with finance, Ella May also worked for 15 years at 1 st Federal Savings of Westchester IL.
Blessed with 20/20 vision, her activities included ballroom dancing with her husband; volleyball, bicycle riding, and 35 years of Tai Chi; she celebrated her 65th birthday by jumping down the block on a pogo stick!
Ella May had opportunities to travel to many places throughout the world. In many countries she made friends with whom she stayed in contact. Her prolific life of cards and letters began when she was 17 years old with a Hawaiian Pen Pal relationship. She was a joyful Christian witness to everyone with whom she came in contact.
On April 9, a visitation at 10:00 a.m. and a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seymour, followed by her interment at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery (Seymour).
Memorial donations may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Seymour IN.