Mike Ulferts

Mike Ulferts, age 88, of Willmar passed away on Friday, May 9, at Vista Prairie of Copperleaf.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, at First Reformed Church in Willmar. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery. Military honors are provided by the Willmar American Legion Post.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, at the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. The funeral service will be live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/FirstReformedChurchWillmarMn. Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. www.petersonbrothers.com

Mike (Marlin) Ulferts was born on a farm in Bunde, MN on May 17, 1936. His parents were Edward and Amelia Ulferts. He earned his nickname of Mike because he was a red headed freckle faced kid. Mike grew up on a farm in Blomkest with his sisters and brother. In 1955 Mike enlisted in the Army. He was sent to Arkansas to do his basic training. One day he was sent into a room, he was told if he was over 6 feet tall go into another room. From there he was sent to Fort Riley in Junction City Kansas. He was part of the honor guard team. He said it was the easiest job he ever had. They drove around dignitaries, practiced drills and performed at funerals. When asked why he didn’t re-enlist he said he didn’t think he would get that lucky again. While at Fort Riley he and a friend drove to Herington Kansas. He met a young lady named Janice at the Dairy Freeze. They started to date. After Mike’s army tour was over, he returned to the family farm in Minnesota. Planning on being a farmer like his dad, however, a sheep interfered with his plans. After the third time being butted into the mud, he walked to the house packed his bags and drove to Herington, Kansas. He owned Mike’s Texaco gas station. He asked Janice to marry him with a ring on Valentine’s Day. He thought Janice was the best thing that ever happened to him. After they married, they moved to Hope Ks. Their oldest Daughter Christine joined them. A move to Dawson MN and Connie was added to the family. One more big move to Willmar and Cecilia and Cathleen rounded out the family. His Grandchildren brought him great joy. He would take them on their own trips. Andy being the oldest, got a few more trips than the others. The best part of the trips is that they got to pick where they were going. The trips were to Seattle (Andy – This was Sean’s trip however he got homesick before they left town), San Francisco (Sean, Alex and Andy), Virginia Beach (Andy), St Louis (Sam and Alex), Chicago (Mady).

Mike loved birthdays. He felt it was your special day! He was known for his love of travel, Christmas, Lake Cabins, People, Volunteering, Dilly Bars and most importantly his family. He loved and respected his wife daily. You always knew how much they loved each other. Everyone who has met him has a Mike Story.

Mike loved volunteering, he gave his time to the Willmar Fire Department for over 30 years, Various Snowmobile Clubs: Honkers, Eagles Sno Club, Little Crow Snow Club and EZ Riders Snow club- Called bingo at the Eagles, Auctioning for Norling-Henslin Auctioneers, Fundraisers, Good Sams Club and the Kandiyohi County Fair. He gave his time freely. He received many awards for his volunteer activities.

Mike loved traveling so much he was a Tour Bus Driver for RJ Tours. He has seen all the lower 48 plus Alaska, Italy, France and England. He even went to Jamacia to volunteer. His vacations bring a smile to his daughters faces including his bonus child Amy Dowdell and Rod Kern. His Grandchildren’s favorite memory is snowmobiling at Izaty’s.

Mike is survived by three daughters, Christine (Tracy) Bruns of Willmar, Cecilia Adette of St. Paul and Cathleen Ulferts of Derby, KS.; and five grandchildren, Andrew Brower, Sean Chapin, Alex Chapin, Samuel Stenson and Madeline Stenson. Also surviving are three sisters, Darlene (Marv) Koch, Lori Sandberg and Karen (Gerry) Stiemsma; one brother, Darrel (Shirley) Ulferts; two brothers in law, Larry Kern and Frank Gerhardt; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Janice in 2023; one daughter, Connie Ulferts; three sisters, Luella, Linda and Eleanor; two sisters in law, Joyce Kern and Jennifer Gerhardt; one brother in law, Bud Sandberg; his parents, Ed and Amelia Ulferts and his in laws, Bernard and Gloy Woosley.