01/09/2024
On January 7, 2024, with a heavy heart and great sadness, we had to say our Earthly goodbyes to our friend, Father, Grandfather, and founder; Fran Ullmer.
From a young age, Fran had a great passion for making cheese and had high admiration for the cheese industry.
As a child, Fran worked alongside his father, mother, and brothers in the family cheese plant until he left for the Marine Corps.
After leaving the Marine Corps, in the mid-1980’s, Fran bought a small cheese plant in Krakow, Wisconsin. He operated this plant until closing the doors in the late-1980’s, when he began selling equipment he had in his plant.
With great determination, he began to sell equipment on behalf of other plants in the area, as well as, fixing and refurbishing additional equipment that he had purchased.
Skip forward 31 years, and we still have the Ullmer’s Dairy Equipment he started all those years ago.
Fran was eternally grateful for the customers and friends he made throughout his tenure at Ullmer’s Dairy Equipment. He would remind his son, Paul, to always tell his customers that “Fran says hello”.
After retirement, Fran enjoyed his many trips delivering equipment to interact with long-time loyal customers or make friends with new customers.
Fran was a great man, a kind soul, and was truly an inspiration to the countless many who had the joy of knowing him.
Fran will be greatly missed and will always be in our hearts.
Fran Ullmer, 78, Pulaski, passed away Sunday morning, January 7, 2024, at his home following a short illness. The son of Harvey and Angeline (Preslaski) Ullmer, Francis Harvey was born July 20, 1945, in Green Bay, grew up in Isaar, and was a graduate of Premontre High School.
After graduation, Fran enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on June 12, 1964, served in Vietnam, and received his honorable discharge on June 9, 1967. His brother, Gary, takes credit for introducing him to the love of his life, Kristine Ullmer. The couple married on July 20, 1968, at Assumption B.V.M. Church in Pulaski.
Fran grew up cheesemaking with his father and brothers in the family business, Isaar Cheese. He later used that experience to start his own successful company, Ullmer’s Dairy Equipment, where many of his own children worked with him, before he sold the business to his oldest son, Paul.
Fran was a faith-filled member of St. Michael’s Church in De Pere. He was an active member of the Pulaski American Legion Post #337, VFW Post #9719, Am Vets #160, and PLAV #178. Fran was also a member of the Pulaski Lions Club, where he was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship and the Knight of Sight Fellowship. He was a member of the Pulaski Area Chamber of Commerce and was awarded the Chamber Person of the Year Award. In 2021, he was honored as a Grand Marshal of the Pulaski Polka Days Parade.
Fran enjoyed time with his family, deer hunting with his sons and grandsons, cribbage games with his brothers and grandchildren and joy rides with his wife. After retirement, he also enjoyed cutting grass, golfing at fundraising events, going for rides to visit his old customers, and dinners with the Shawano County Cheesemakers. Fran had a wave, a friendly greeting, a smile, and a genuine courtesy and love for everyone he met. There were no strangers. Fran was most proud of his Catholic faith, his beautiful wife of 55 years, 15 children, 88 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. “I’ve gotten all I’ve ever wanted in life,” he’d say.
Surviving Fran is his loving wife, Kristine; 14 children: Paul (Kathy) Ullmer, Lisa (Greg) Stachura, Mark (Dawn) Ullmer, Bridget (Charles) Drew, Joe (Katie) Ullmer, Adam Ullmer, Dominic (Lindsey) Ullmer, Rebecca (Trevor) Anderson, Maria (Shane) Wood, Jean (Travis) Gritt, Therese (Tony) Sobiesczyk, Amy (Devin) Kropp, Jacquelyn (Josh) Engel, Francis Jr. (Aaryn) Ullmer; 88 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 43 nieces and nephews; four brothers: Dean (Patricia) Ullmer, Leland (Karen) Ullmer, Gary (Mary Claire) Ullmer, and Fr. James (Bruce) Ullmer O.S.B; one sister: Ann Marie (Gene) Killoren; two sister-in-laws, Ginny (Larry) Westenburg and Yvonne (Randy) Rathburn; one brother-in-law, Charlie Ullmer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Angeline Ullmer; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ron and Betty Ullmer; a daughter, Katherine; one brother, Gregory; two brothers-in-law: David and John; a son-in-law Nicholas Knutson and a nephew, Emmett Killoren.
Friends are invited to gather with family at Marnocha Funeral Home, 186 E. Pulaski St, Pulaski from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, January 14th. Pulaski Lions Service at 5 p.m. followed by the Rosary. The visitation continues at St. Michael’s Church, 1782 Chapelle Rue, De Pere, after 9:30 a.m. Monday, January 15th. The Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Monday at the church, Fr. Anthony Dwyer presiding. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Pulaski Area Veterans.
Online condolences may be offered to the Ullmer family at www.marnochafuneralhome.com or on the Marnocha Funeral Home page.
