Marilyn Ulmer, age 90, of Sioux Falls SD, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026 surrounded by her family.
Funeral services will be at 11 AM on Thursday, May 21st at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Madison with Pastor Josh Mork officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Wentworth following the luncheon.
Marilyn was born on October 13, 1935, in Owatonna MN, to Edwin and Evelyn (Fisher) Drache. She graduated from Owatonna High School in 1952 and began her career at Federated Insurance in Owatonna. She met her future husband, Donald “Butch” Ulmer, on a blind date set up by friends. The couple married on February 14, 1959, and shortly thereafter moved to Madison SD, where they raised their family. Marilyn worked at Sioux Valley Electric before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She then worked at East River Federal Credit Union until her retirement in the late 1990s.
Marilyn moved to Sioux Falls in 2016 to be closer to her granddaughters. Marilyn was known for her gentle nature and unwavering kindness. She loved baking and traveling with her sister Yvonne. More than anything else, she cherished time spent with her beloved grandchildren, Jessica, Erin and Ashley.
She is survived by her children, Scott Ulmer of Phoenix AZ; Sylvia (Mark) Schnetzer of Sioux Falls SD; granddaughters, Jessica (Seth) Reinke, Erin Schnetzer, and Ashley (Cecilia) Schnetzer; sisters-in-law, Barbara Drache and Lenora Balsiger; stepsister, Kay DeBoer and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Don Ulmer; parents, Edwin and Evelyn Drache; stepfather, Chet Ditlevson; sisters, Yvonne Arneson and Joyce Hartung; brother, David Drache and stepsister, Charolette Ruhter.
Marilyn’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Ponderosa Lodge and Sanford Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.
