Karl Louis ULMER

Karl was born at home on the family farm on May 1, 1921 and was thesecond child in a family of seven. He grew up on that farm andattended elementary school at Yorktown Township School #3 througheighth grade. He continued his education at Fullerton High School andgraduatedin 1938. He had a keen interest in music so decided toattend college at Ellendale, North Dakota from where he earned a twoyear teachingcertificate in 1940. Karl went on to teach at Glover andKulm, NorthDakota before enlisting in the US Army in 1942. Afterbasic trainingin Hawaii, he was assigned to Ranger Battalion andserved in the Pacific Theater from November 1942 until October 1943.He was then assigned to a USAF Pilot Training Program and enteredcollege detachment school at Pittsburgh University until May 1944.Due to overcrowding in the program he was reassigned to field hospitaltraining in Illinois and North Carolina. From there he was assignedto the European Theaterof Operations and served in the 67th FieldHospital on the front lines until V.E. Day in May 1945. After thewar, Karl joined the National Guard for seven months and wasdischarged as master sargeant upon leaving the state in 1948.

Karl resumed his education after the war and enrolled at theUniversity of North Dakota from where he earned his BA Degree inEducation. That's also where he met Sally, his future wife. Aftertheir marriage,they moved to Plentywood, Montana where Karl was hiredas a band and vocal instructor from January through May of 1948. Thatspring a vacancy occurred at the Jamestown Public School system and heapplied for the position. He remained at Jamestown for 35 years asthe band director and chairman of the music department. During thattime he earned his MMED Degree as Master of Music Education fromColorado University at Fort Collins. Karl earned many honors duringhis teaching career.He was voted one of the 10 Most Outstanding BandDirectors in America, Distinguished Band Master of the Year, andearned the First Chair of America Award. Karl also served assecretary of the North Dakota Music Educators Association and of theNational Advisory Board of MusicEducators. Karl retired on June 30,1983 and lived in Jamestown, North Dakota where he kept busy with hishome and church activities untilhis sudden death on August 4, 2001.

MEMORIES:

Brother, Benjamin Ulmer: "Karl and I were very close. We were in thesame grade throughout high school and two years of college. Thatmeant we were in competition with each other and in the sameactivities. We were also in the same confirmation class. Thecompetition was good for us and am sure helped both of us in manyways. In our early life we confided in each other about almosteverything and respected each other. We had many different personalcharacteristics, but alwaysthe differences strengthened each other.

I miss him dearly and still have a difficult time understanding hisloss. During the last few years we again saw each other more oftenwhich I am most thankful for. I saw him develop from a care free,mischievous youngster to a very religious christian adult. Thank Godfor giving him to us. I feel that his faith has served him well andthat heis now in a much better place, with our Lord and Saviour."

Niece, Jean Gebhardt Mahlum: "In the last five years of his life, Ibecame closer to him than I ever thought possible. He would make apoint to seek me out at work in Fargo and show up at lunchtime oranotherbreak time so we could always spend at least 1 1/2 to 2 hrs.together. We talked about things that really mattered; things he saidhe learned from his mother and father. It was important to him thatthat legacy was passed on."

Niece, Susan Gebhardt Meland: "For many years my mother had anewspaper clipping tacked to our kitchen bulletin board about UncleKarl's award as one of the top ten band directors in the country. Ifelt veryproud of him and would not shy away from opportunities tobrag about him. One year he helped me prepare for my trumpet solo forthe district music competition. I felt quite honored. In the latteryears of his life, he seemed ageless to me. I recall that I had losttrack of his age and found myself surprised to realize that he was inhis 80's when he passed away. This just didn't seem possible, as hehad been so active and vibrant."

Brother, Milton Ulmer and wife, Avelon: "Karl, the music man. Wealways enjoyed his first rate concerts. He was often chosen as Judgeofthe local music contests in our area. He seemed to enjoy that jobaswell as serving as Lay-Minister in his church."

Niece, Kathie Ulmer Hay: "A trip to Jamestown was never completeunless it included a visit with Karl. As a young girl, I rememberdriving to Jamestown to attend his concerts at Thompson Auditorium (Ithought that was the coolest place I had ever seen! At Fullerton, wehad our concerts in the gym.) We would always stop over at the housefor coffee and goodies afterwards!

With Uncle Karl you always knew you would be well-received with agreat big hug and that great big smile of his from ear to ear! HeALWAYSmade me feel special and I shall never forget that! When I madethe decision to return to college at an age that was much older thanmost college kids, Uncle Karl was most supportive and interested inwhat I was doing. He always had an encouraging word for me whenthings seemed to be a little harder than I had expected. Just knowingthat he was only a few blocks away from the JC campus was socomforting to me.Many times we would have supper together if I neededto stay in town for a class. When I landed my first teaching positionat LaMoure, he offered to come out and "work with my band". I knowhow much he loved
working with students and I think he missed that the most after heretired. How I wish, now, that we could have worked that out! Icannot begin to count the number of people whose paths have crossedmine thathave fondly remembered Karl as their band teacher atJamestown High School. How proud I am to be able to call him uncle.I must confess, even now, when I make a trip to Jamestown, I stilldrive by 14th Ave NE and look for house number 325. I will longremember Karl standing in the doorway with his "come on in", and thedelicious and inviting aromas coming from Aunt Sally's kitchen!"

Nephew, John Ulmer: "Karl - I have many fond memories of traveling toJamestown to attend various concerts put on by Karl's bands. Some ofthe groups had really neat names, like the Symphonic Wind Ensemble.Regardless of the names, the thing that always struck me was howawesome his bands sounded. He had standards of excellence (I canstatefrom personal experience that this is a genetic Ulmer thing.....) that were never compromised, and both he and his bandsreflected those standards.

A few years back, Karl stopped in Sioux Falls on his way to an Armyreunion, and he came over to the house for supper. I remember himshowing up at the door, wearing a dress shirt and a tie. This was aTuesday night of no particular importance, but he thought that comingover for supper was important enough to merit dressing up. (Thosedarn standards again .....)

I guess no remembrances of Karl would be complete without at least apassing reference to the old brown car. I have no idea how manymileshe squeezed out of that old heap, but I do know that he was verypleased with his ability to keep his transportation costs low, even intheface of unending good-natured ribbing from family and friends."

Nephew, Daniel Ulmer: "I remember Karl as being a very kind man. Healways took the time to seehow things were going with me and what Iwas up to."

Sister, Monica Ulmer Hallerud: "As a child, I remember Karl as abigbrother, a lot older than us "little kids", it seemed. I rememberwhen he and Ben went into the Army during WWII. Ben was draftedfirst, and Karl enlisted voluntarily as he was tired of waiting forhis call,and didn't want to be left behind. We wrote letters to ourbrothers and looked forward to receiving mail from them. When he wasstationedin Hawaii (known as the Hawaiian Islands then) he sent me ashell necklace for my birthday. I thougt it was very special and woreit for along time.

When he returned from the war he completed his education and becameamusic teacher. I remember his dedication to his work and hisexcellence in performing it. He was devoted to his family and gaveMark and Kim the opportunity to study and appreciate music as he did.

After Sally's death, he began traveling extensively, visiting hissiblings and friends around the country. My family all remember himvisiting us in Missouri and coming to each of our homes."

Niece, Karen Hallerud Moore: "I always wished Uncle Karl had beenmyband director. His love of music, instruments, and kids made himtheperfect teacher and mentor. I'm glad he passed on his love formusicto his kids. Most of my early memeories of Karl were visitinghis house in Jamestown. We always had a wonderful dinner made bySally and then we'd visit the world's largest buffalo. Of course, wehad to be lifted up to touch the buffalo's chin. At the 1998Jamestown reunion,we had to carry on the tradition by bringing our ownkids to see the buffalo.

Uncle Karl came to visit us in Kansas City in 2001. I believe hewason his way to a WWII "buddies" reunion. He took us out to eat atStephenson's Restaurant in Independence. He loved the corn frittersand the apple buuter spread! He told us fascinating stories about hisWWII experiences. Uncle Karl was always an inspiration to me. He wasvery active in his Presbyterian congregation and a strong leader. Hewas a devout Christian and he put his beliefs into practice. Hischurch and family were a priority in his life and it showed in hislove and concern for all aspects of life. His death left a huge holein thehearts of many who loved and cherished him."

Nephew, Eric Hallerud: "My first memories of Uncle Karl and AuntSally are from summer family vacations in the 1960's. We stayed withKarland family a few times in Jamestown and also saw them at familygatherings. My first really strong memories of Karl are from him atthe reunion in 1992. He told, with great care and eloquence, a numberof wonderful stories about growing up on the farm, his mom and dad,and abouthis big brother Ben. I also recall how he spoke very highlyof the next generation of Ulmers. The connection to this "greatestgeneration" and the values they grew up with and continue to hold is agreat gift.

Karl visited us in Jefferson City, Missouri in the summer of 1998.Hewas on the way to an Army reunion in St. Louis. He and Kiel and Ihada long visit about World War II in the kitchen of our house. Wealso discussed the movie Saving Private Ryan and its bloody depictionof the D-Day invasion. Karl shared his memories of being in a medicalunitnear the front lines about when the concentration camps were beingliberated and seeing the emaciated Jewish prisoners. These first handaccounts make more of an impression than anything one can read or seeina movie. I was glad that Kiel had the opportunity to talk with Karl-and also that Karl understood how important it was to share thesekinds of memories with other generations. We also went out to ourfavorite local pizza shop in Jeff City (Arris's Pizza) and had a grandtime.The whole time he was with us he kept repeating how great it wasto see us. The feeling was mutual.

Despite a planned reunion for 2002, Karl wanted to get together soonerand he hosted a reunion himself in Jamestown in 2000. Like all Ulmergatherings it was a great affair with lots of great stories about thefarm, and Fullerton.

We saw Uncle Karl in Blue Springs in the summer of 2002 at the lastreunion and then were saddened to be called to his side by Mark andKimjust before he passed away just a few short weeks later. At Karl'svisitation the pastor asked if anyone wanted to speak. It was quiet atfirst and then one person after another got up and told wonderfulstories about how he had helped or inspired them in some way."

Sister, Gertrude Ulmer Anderson: "I never got to know Karl well whenIwas growing up as he was 14 years older than I and was gone from homeby the time I was old enough to get properly acquainted! However,Ireally liked having an older brother that came in and out of my lifewhen I was young. I remember when he was in the Army during WWII hewrote me a V..._ Mail letter which I still have in my possession.Iremember him coming home on furlough and what he looked like inhisuniform. I also remember traveling to Medina for his wedding toSally during a very cold and snowy December. I rode with Anne & TedStroh and the windows of the car were completely frosted except forthe round spot on the window that I tried to thaw with my breath. Myearly memories are vague but later I remember traveling to Jamestownto take in the Jamestown High School band concerts of which he was thebandmaster and director. He always looked impressive in hisgold-trimmed white uniform and director's hat. His concerts werealways a huge hit, and he had an impressive career at the schoolduring his tenure.I also taught at Jamestown when he was there and Iwas proud to tell people that it was my brother that was thebandmaster at the high school.

Karl was a work oriented person and didn't put up with foolishnessfrom his students. He was a man of deep convictions and verydedicated to his work. I enjoyed his weeklong visit to my home inMesa after Sally passed away. We took him to the Organ Stop Pizza onenight and hewas thrilled that the Wurlitzer Organ pumped out some JohnPhillip Sousa marches. (Such a nice coincidence since some were hisfavorite selections.) I will always be grateful for having theopportunity to travel with him to and from the family reunion inMissouri in June, 2002. We had four days to really visit and catch upon events and familyduring our long drive. I felt closer to him atthat time than at anyother time in our lives. When he lay ill anddying, I was the last family member to arrive at the hospital. I toldhim that I couldn't take this trip with him, he'd have to go it alone. He passed away 20 minutes later. I still feel he waited for me tocome and say, "Good-bye"."

Nephew, Douglas Anderson: "Karl always had on dress clothes. Ineversaw him in jeans or work clothes. Their house was always neatand tidy and he always had a big smile. I would run into him alot atmusic festivals around the state. He was very well thought of in themusic community. His students always did well."

Niece, Gwen Anderson Struble: "I used to think Uncle Karl was sohandsome on the pictures at Grandma Ulmer's house. His eyes were sogentle and kind-looking.

Growing up, Mom would always share articles about his musicalaccomplishments with us, and I felt so proud to have such a talentedUncle.

I got glimpses of his heart at our Missouri reunion; as we spoke andhugged I felt his love for his Lord and his love for his family.Without our reunions I wouldn't have this special memory of my dearUncle Karl."

Niece, Sandra Anderson Bolduc: "I didn't really know Karl very well.I thought he was a gentle, quiet man. I remember he loved music, hemust have, being a teacher, and having two kids that are musicians....He had a good singing voice also, I remember that from being inMissouri, not from growing up."