Karl Ullrich

Funeral services: Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Broadus.

Interment: will be held at a later date.

Karl Herman Ullrich, age 86, of Broadus passed away peacefully on Monday, March 26, 2007 at the Powder River Manor in Broadus.

Karl was born in a rock house built by his father in Wason Flats, 60 miles north of Miles City, on January 28, 1921. Karl attended a German speaking Elementary School five miles from their homestead. In 1927, the family bought the Bud Devasher land, northeast of Broadus, where Karl would spend most of the rest of his life. Karl attended the Durst School, two miles north of their new home through the 8th Grade. During the drought of the 30s, the Ullrich family moved to Billings to find employment. Karl worked at various odd jobs including cleaning out flooded basements, and hauling produce door to door to supplement the family income. Karl graduated from high school while the family resided in Billings. Karl served in the United States Army during World War II as a medic. In 1940, they moved back to the family ranch near Broadus and built the new ranch house in 1946. Karl married Ruby Griff in 1948. The couple resided in a dugout and worked for Elmer Watters. They bought the Ullrich ranch from his parents in 1958, where Karl worked until retiring to the Eagles Manor in Miles City in 2003. Karl and Ruby had two sons, Victor (born in 1953) and Vernon (born in 1957). They later separated.

Karl was a man of very few words, but his kindness and unconditional love will long be remembered by his family and friends. He was a master rancher and cattleman who had walked every inch of his ranch (mostly in his one man war against weeds). His grandchildren have golden memories of long walks, being pulled in the wagon, horseback rides, ice skating on the river, and the endless supply of butterscotch candies in his front shirt pocket. His children knew him as a man with a quiet determination, an unquestionable work ethic and a love of the land and the Powder River. He was an expert card player. Karl was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Broadus and a longstanding member of the Broadus Farmers Union.

Karl is survived by two brothers, Richard of Puyallup, WA and Albert of Chinook and one sister Ruth Watters of Helena. He is also survived by two sons, Victor (Laura Lee) of the family ranch and Vern (Kay) of Biddle, MT. The love of his life were his grandchildren: Amy (Tom) Minow of Broadus, Dr. Jennifer (Rob) Mattingley of La Crosse, WI, Lieutenant Doug (Laura) Ullrich of Tucson, AZ, Adam and Jason Ullrich of Biddle and five great grandchildren: Taylor, Leah and Hudson Mattingley and Miranda and Kyle Minow. He is also survived by over 65 nieces and nephews.

Karl was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Frieda Ullrich, his sisters, Esther (Tony) Gali, Gertrude (Fred) Schillreff and Freida Ullrich, his sisters-in-law, Ilene Ullrich and Florence Ullrich and a brother-in-law, George Watters.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Broadus. Interment will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family by visitingwww.stevensonandsons.com. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Our Saviors Lutheran Church Pastoral Fund in Broadus.