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James Edward Ulrich, 55

James Edward Ulrich, 55 years of age, of Crete, passed away at the Crete Area Medical Center Wednesday morning, April 22, 2015.

He was born on April 26, 1959 in Beatrice to Walter and Martha (Burger) Ulrich. James grew up on a farm east of DeWitt and attended Tri County School until he turned 21 years old in 1980. He then moved to Crete as a client of Region 5 Services. He worked in food service and custodial cleaning services, and at the Region 5 Workshop in Crete.

Always happy, James loved everyone and was generous with his hugs and kisses. James enjoyed shooting hoops, Special Olympics, bowling, Star Trek, dancing, country music, Monday Night Wrestling Club, his birthdays, attending church at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Crete, and spending time with his family and friends. His bedroom was a shrine to Husker football, and James loved animals, especially his dogs Tiger and Tiger 2. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include sisters: Linda Ulrich Miller and husband, Dave, of Waverly, Laura Ulrich Ronning and husband, Richard, of Blair, Elizabeth Thompson and husband, Frank, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Ruth Ulrich of Lincoln; nieces and nephews: Kate Kimmons, Rachel Ronning and husband, Tyler Wagner, and their daughter, Sonja, Andrew Ronning and Anne Thompson; and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Martha (Burger) Ulrich.

In thankfulness for James’ life, his family has designated memorial gifts to the Nebraska Special Olympics and Region 5 Services in Crete.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~