Grace Medora Ulmer

Grace's memorial service will be livestreamed here: https://vimeo.com/event/2862086

Grace's tribute video can be viewed here. https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/ZN4R9D8N5CMQNTWR

Grace M. Ulmer passed away at St. Katherine's South nursing home in Fargo, ND, January 26, 2023.

Grace Medora Ulmer was born in Fargo on May 19, 1925, to Fred and Florence Rickford of Verona, ND. The family later moved to Lamoure, ND, where her parents operated Rickford's Federated Store. Grace graduated from high school in Lamoure in 1943. She attended college during the war years at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and Concordia College in Moorhead. Once the war ended, she was able to pursue her dream of moving someplace warm and elected to finish college at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, graduating with a degree in music in 1947.

Grace taught music in the Dallas Public School system up until her marriage to Robert J. Ulmer, MD. They married in Prestwick, Scotland, August 1, 1952, while he was stationed there in the US Air Force. Grace and Robert moved back to North Dakota in 1957, settling in south Fargo. Robert was a physician at Dakota Clinic, while Grace taught piano lessons and raised the family. She was active in the Dakota Hospital Women's Auxiliary, Olivet Lutheran Church, Fine Arts Club, ARC, and many other volunteer organizations. Following Robert's death in 1997, she united in marriage with John Arouni of Rochert, MN, in 1998 until his death in 2000.

Grace had incredible faith in the Lord and did her best to set an example and live out her faith every day. She loved sports, especially Twins baseball, and watching her son Burke at Special Olympics, and grandson Dustin's sports teams. Tennis was another great sports passion, and she dearly loved music. She sang in the Olivet Choir for almost 40 years and was able to perform at Carnegie Music Hall in New York City as an Olivet choir member. She later was a member of the Touchmark Choir, performing at various places around the FM area, including the Fargo Theater. She enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors at the family home on Cotton Lake, as well as the beaches in Southwest Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Florence Rickford of Lamoure, ND; husband, Robert; and brother, Neal. She is survived by sons, Robert Jr (Boca Raton, FL) and Burke (Fraser Ltd. Fargo); daughter, Mary (Rochert, MN); grandson, Dustin (Cherie); great-granddaughters, Harper and Kennedy of Mapleton, ND; granddaughter, Kirsten and grandson, Marty (both Florida).

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Olivet Lutheran Church in Fargo, Fraser Ltd of Fargo, or the charity of your choice.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to the doctors and nurses at Essentia Health who cared for Grace and all of the staff, volunteers, and caregivers at Touchmark assisted living, Elim nursing home, and St Katherine's South nursing home. She could not have made it 97 years without the help and support she received from all of you since 2006, when her health began to fail. She lived a full and active life up until her death, and we are most grateful for your care.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.hansonrunsvold.com .

Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home – Fargo, ND.