Mary “Mary Jo” Josephine Ulrich

1956-2025

Mary “Mary Jo” Josephine Ulrich, 68, of Ogema, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 20, 2025. Mary Jo was born on Dec. 7, 1956, in Madison, to parents John and Verlene “Lee” (Cayo) Bernd. She grew up in Stevens Point, where she graduated from SPASH in 1975. After graduating, she worked for Sentry Insurance, which moved her to Phoenix, Ariz., and then to Atlanta, Ga. It was in Atlanta that she was introduced over the phone to her best friend and love of her life, Ed Ulrich. She moved to Ogema to be with him. Ed and Mary Jo were married on a beautiful spring day in April 1990, at the Ogema Baptist Church.

Mary Jo was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved spending time with her family and friends and going camping. Mary Jo enjoyed being active in her community. When her daughter started elementary school, Mary Jo started volunteering at the Ogema Elementary School. She also served as treasurer for the Ogema Our Town Committee and enjoyed volunteering with the Hillbillies 4-H club. Mary Jo held various administrative and cooking jobsmost recently she was cooking at Rail Trail Café and worked in the office for her stepson, Curt, at Bypass Communications.

Mary Jo is survived by her husband, Ed; her stepsons, Chad Ulrich of Ogema, Curt Ulrich of Phillips, Cale Ulrich of Tomahawk; and her daughter, Allyson Jablonsky of Ham Lake, Minn.; grandchildren, Caelyn Ulrich, Avery Ulrich, Endora Udovich-Ulrich, Gabby Ulrich, Jackson Jablonsky, and Jace Jablonsky; and brother, John (Sharon) Bernd of Bethlehem, Ga.; and nephews, Johnny (Amelia) Bernd and Ramon (Meghan) Bernd.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Lee (Cayo) Bernd.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at the Ogema Baptist Church. There will be a visitation from 12 p.m.-2 p.m., a service at 2 p.m., and a luncheon to follow.

Paid Obituary 165522