In Memory of Mike Ulrich

Mike Ulrich, age 44, of Arthur, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on September 29, 2024, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa. 

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, October 07, 2024, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. Celebrant Mr. Jared Phillips Zobel will officiate. Committal services will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the service from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., on Monday, October 07, 2024, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

On March 7, 1980, in Alexandria, Louisiana, the world became a little brighter with the birth of Michael “Mike” James Ulrich. In his younger years, his family moved frequently due to his father serving in the military until they finally settled in Ida Grove, Iowa. Some of you may remember Mike as “Jimmy,” a nickname given to him by his grandfather James “Jim,” which stuck with him up until the sixth grade. He participated in football and wrestling and graduated with the class of 1998 from Battle Creek – Ida Grove High School.

After graduation, Mike worked for GOMACO and Evapco before settling into a 19-year-long career with VT Industries of Holstein, Iowa, where he was currently employed as a Shipment Coordinator.

A devoted father to his children: Kimberly, Alexis, Caitlyn, Calli, Aaron, Makayla, and Axton. Mike was their number one fan, attending all of his children’s numerous activities and with a passion for sports especially, he turned into a one-on-one dad coach. You could always find him on the sidelines, in the bleachers, by the wrestling mat, or on the field of his children’s sporting events; Mike could also be spotted in the school auditorium or gym watching his children perform in musicals, band, speech, and other activities.

Mike was a jack of all trades, able to fix just about anything, and if he didn’t know how he would figure it out. The art of keeping his daughters’ cars running became a familiar hobby for Mike, and from time to time, you would hear a familiar tune being sung by Mike as he was working. In true Mike fashion, all lyrics were optional. However, at the end of the day, the most important thing to this proud Dad were his children.

Survivors include his children: Alexis, Caitlyn, Calli, Aaron, Makayla, and Axton Ulrich and Kimberly Renze; brother Richard (Salina) Ulrich and their children Cora, Libby, and Hugh; sister Martha Ulrich; extended family and friends.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents George R. and Barbara E. (Rickert) Trullender.