Dean Ulrich

Dean Ulrich, 79, passed away on January 27, 2023, in Tennessee.  A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, May 14, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department, 405 Main Street, Wakefield, NE. The family will be receiving friends at the fire station beginning at noon.

Harlan Dean Ulrich, Sr. was born August 18, 1943, in Coleridge, Nebraska to Harlan A. and Nola Mildred (Gregersen) Ulrich. After graduating from Coleridge High School in 1960, Dean enlisted in the Navy, serving aboard the USS Burton Island AGB1 (Ice Breaker) from November 1960-July 1964. He sailed to both the Arctic Circle and Antarctic Circle as well as Hawaii, New Zealand. Australia, Fiji, and many other places. Dean married Katherine Lawty, which he later divorced. Two sons were born to this union, Harlan Dean Ulrich, Jr., and Christopher Michael Ulrich. Dean married Carol Ann Bargholz on June 24, 1972, to which 3 children were born, Wendy LeAnn, Adam Richard, and Jonathan Dean. They celebrated 50 years of marriage last year.

Dean worked for Milton G. Waldbaum Company (later Michael Foods, Inc.) in Wakefield, NE from 1971-2006. He enjoyed being a volunteer firefighter and was a member of the Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department from September 1975 until June 2013 where he was Chief of the department for 22 years. In 2005-2006 Dean was president of the NSVFA (Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association). He was also a 44-year permanent member of The American Legion. In his retirement years, Dean enjoyed going to Ulrich Reunions, woodcarving, camping, and watching old westerns (especially John Wayne movies) as well as The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, and Morning Joe.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 50 years, Carol Ulrich of Cumberland Furnace, TN; Children and families, Harlan (Sugano) Ulrich of Okinawa, Japan and children Megumi (Daisuke) Suto and three children, Makato Ulrich and two children, Yuu Ulrich, Celeste Ulrich, Camille Ulrich, and Sarah Ulrich; Christopher (Laura) Ulrich of Renton, WA, children Layton Banchero and one daughter, Kayla and Keegan Uderitz and two children, Breanna Bloomquist and 2 daughters; Brittany (Mark) Crotsley and 2 daughters, Dane Ulrich and fiancée, Darion Jetson; Wendy (David) Kleckner of Genoa, NE, April (Codie) Green, Trevor Kleckner, Andrew Kleckner; Adam (Tamara) Ulrich of Wakefield, NE, Ashley Adamson and fiancé, Eathen Sánchez and two daughters; Jonathan Ulrich of Des Moines, IA; brother, Wayne (Karen "Cookie") Ulrich of Wayne, NE; sister, Karen (Larry) Sherer of Wakefield, NE; sisters-in-law, Rita (Mark) Vanderlinden of Cumberland Furnace, TN, Debbie Bargholz of Wayne, NE, and Tena (Dan) Henrickson of Dodge, NE; brother-in-law, Randal (Cindy) Bargholz of Wayne, NE; numerous nieces and nephews; and his fur babies, Dixie, Milo, Pepper, and Patches.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Duane Bargholz; and parents-in-law, Elmer and Mylet Bargholz.