Jerome "Jerry" Richard Ullmer, 91, Howard, passed away peacefully with his children by his side on Thursday, August 21, 2025. He was born on August 7, 1934, in Green Bay to Lawrence and Lucille (Williquette) Ullmer.

On August 10, 1957, he married Judith "Judy" R. Allen at St. Willebrord Catholic Church. They were married for 64 years, raising five children on the farm in Howard. In addition, Jerry and Judy also helped care for Judy's younger siblings after the passing of his mother-in-law, Agnes. As the years went on, they welcomed 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Grandpa Jerry always had a sucker or Smarties candy on hand for any grandchild that came through the door.

Enjoying life to the fullest, Jerry loved playing cribbage, mowing the lawn, cruising the yard in his golf cart, and feeding the ever-present crows. He was always in his "little garage" puttering with one thing or another, inventing tools, embellishing his motorcycle, or fixing a broken lawnmower in his customized fashion. Jerry loved classic cars and could tell the make and model of just about anything on the road. He always had a smile on his face and a song in his heart. He loved singing and playing polkas and oldies by ear on the piano and accordion. His signature tune was Tiny Bubbles .

Jerry devoted his life to a dual career as both a dairy farmer and a longtime employee of VerHalen, Inc. He worked the family Century Farm in Howard from an early age until it was sold. His career at VerHalen began with delivering Pella windows, advancing to Warehouse Foreman, and finally as Customer Service Manager.

Jerry will be remembered most for his quick wit and gift for storytelling. Those who knew him can likely recall more than a few favorite "Jerry-isms." No one ever left the house without being reminded to "Keep 'er shiny side up!" And if you had a good cribbage hand against him, you were probably called a "dirty carp!" He had a lifetime of stories to tell of shenanigans with childhood pals, VerHalen antics and mishaps, and probably his favorite—the Sturgis adventure. His tall tales never got old.

He is survived by four children, Beth (Brad) Zellner, Ellen (Al) Klimek, Claire (Brad) Reinke, and Tom (significant other, Cindy) Ullmer; daughter-in-law, Kay Ullmer; grandchildren, Karie, Ashley, Katie, Sarah, Sam, Erin, Steve, Joe, Carly, Julia, and Nick; great-grandchildren, Bella, Kylie, Lily, Brynn, Liam, Kolton, Ava, Bennet, Leo, Elise, Levi, James, Cooper, and one on the way; siblings-in-law, Tom (Jan), Jane (Bob), Judy Ann (Jerry), Mary (Javier), Lutie (Mark), Mark (Judy), Terese (Jim), Susie (Bruce), John (Johanna), Billie, John Proko; many nieces and nephews and special friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Judy; infant daughter, Mary Lee; son, Larry; daughter-in-law, Kelly Ullmer; parents, Lawrence and Lucille Ullmer; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Evie Ullmer; sister, Maggie Proko; parents-in-law, Norbert and Agnes Allen; stepmother-in-law, Beverly Allen; brother-in-law, Paul Allen.

Friends and family will gather at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2597 Glendale Ave ., (The entrance is directly across from BP gas station on Glendale Ave.) from 10am to 11:30am on Thursday, September 18; Mass to follow at 11:30am. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com . The family extends sincere gratitude to Unity Hospice for their care and compassion during Jerry's final weeks.

Thank you for the love, constant laughter, and memories that will sustain us for years to come. You will always be with us in every polka we hear, every classic car we see, every tractor that rumbles past, and every "tiny bubble" that floats by. Catch 'ya later!