Date of Birth: April 17, 1935
Date of Death: April 3, 2026
Matthew (Matt) Henry Ulmer was born on April 17, 1935, to Mathias (Matt) and Philippina Ulmer. Matt was born on the family farm south of Goodeve, Sask. He was baptized by Paster Lehmann on April 19, 1935. He attended Lake Mona school. He was confirmed on Reformation Sunday by Pastor Buhler at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Duff, Sask.
Matt worked on the family farm until he went to work in Regina at Broomcraft, a broom factory where they made curling brooms which were used by the Richardson team in the world’s championship curling. He also worked in construction for Shelly Brothers building O.K. Economy stores and a Roofing Company. He returned to Melville, Sask. to work for the Prairie Co-op Service Station for approximately 33 years until he retired.
Matt met and then married Shirley Litzenberger at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on July 28, 1961, by Pastor Hohm. They built a new home on 10th Avenue West in Melville in 1963 where they lived for 48 years. They attended church at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and then Good ShepherdLutheran Church. Matt volunteered as Cubmaster leader, he served on church council and as the janitor for the church.
Matt and Shirley enjoyed travelling to Mexico, Hawaii and from coast to coast in Canada. They enjoyed camping, fishing and golfing. He also played softball for the Melville Merchants and curled.
He leaves to mourn his wife, Shirley Ulmer of 64 years; his brother, John Ulmer; sisters, Lillian Volke and Florence Schill; his sister-in-law, Joyce Evanishen; brother-in-law, Gordon Steffen; surrogate daughter, Lorie Chambers and her husband, Anthony and surrogate
granddaughters, Shastyna Chambers and Joely Chambers and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Emily Steffan; sisters in infancy, Caroline and Phyllis; brothers-in-law, Fred Steffan, Art Volke, Gerald Schill, Mike Evanishen and Richard Litzenberger; sisters-in-law, Emily Steffen, Lorraine Litzenberger and Florence Ulmer.
Matt’s funeral service was held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Melville, with the Rev. Ronald Shumba officiating. Organist Marilyn Senyk led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, Lorie Chambers delivered the eulogy, the readers were Brent Ulmer, Brian Ulmer and Evan Ulmer, honorary bearers were David Dietz, Laurie Hamers, Kim Lutz and Evan Ulmer, while the urn bearers were Shastyna Chambers and Joely Chambers. Interment took place at Melville City Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
