Agatha Theresa Ulrich

Agatha Theresa (née Bauer) Ulrich, age 92, peacefully entered Eternal Life on June 1, 2021. A devoted wife and loving mother, Agatha is survived by children Kathleen (Brian) McGarry, Thomas (Vicki) Ulrich, Marilyn Ulrich-Graves, and David Jr. (Debra) Ulrich. She was a proud grandmother to Rebecca Ferguson, Michael (Jessica) McGarry, Erin (Mark) Lampe, Colleen McGarry; Lisa (John) Runke, Thomas Jr. (Michelle) Ulrich; Robert Graves; Alexandra, Elizabeth, and Victoria Ulrich. Her beloved great-grandchildren are Caroline Ferguson; Dylan McGarry; Madeline, Luke, and Collin Lampe; and Sophia, Rocco, and Jonah Runke. Agatha was a dear sister to Frank Jr. (Marion) Bauer, and sister-in-law to Jean (the late Morris) Larson and Lois (the late Gerald) Ulrich. She was proceeded in death by her beloved husband of 48 years, David; her parents, Frank and Theresa Bauer; her sisters, Adeline (Robert) Mettleman, and Evelyn (Michael) Wachal; and her brother-in-law, Thomas Ulrich. Also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Born January 31, 1929, in Milwaukee, to Frank and Theresa Bauer, Agatha was the third of four children. She attended St. Anthony’s grade school, meeting her future husband, David Ulrich, when he was a new student in fourth grade. It was love at first sight for Agatha. They both attended Pius XI High School, where they shared a mutual admiration for the nuns who provided the foundation of a great education. Agatha wrote letters to Dave while he was stationed in Riems, France during WWII and anxiously awaited his return home.

They married on January 28, 1950, and settled in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, in a stone house they purchased from Dave’s father. It was in the early years of their nearly five-decade marriage that Agatha was instrumental in helping Dave grow his businesses. In 1952, Hy View Mobile Home Park was built by hand by Dave and his business partner, William Gravitter, at the corner of S. 27th Street and W. College Avenue. Agatha insisted on keeping the showers and washrooms exceptionally tidy for all the park’s tenants, setting a high standard of service. Later, when Tri City Foods was established at the same intersection, she baked hams at the family home, driving them down the hill to the store for sale. Those businesses grew to include a hardware store, pharmacy, bank, and others to form the Tri City Shopping Center. Tri City Foods eventually grew to become Mega Marts Pick ‘N Save with numerous locations throughout the metro area, while National Development Corporation (NDC) and Tri City National Bank continue to flourish today.

In the later years, Dave and Agatha enjoyed daily tennis matches, swimming, and boating while at their winter condo in Jupiter, Florida, and spending summers in their log cabin on the chain of lakes in Eagle River, Wisconsin. Agatha enjoyed attending Cranberry Fest in Eagle River, where she entered delicious recipes, winning many ribbons through the years. She loved family gatherings and looked forward to holidays and hosting special events, including entertaining the Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo. She was an avid bird watcher and listening to music always made her smile. Agatha had an excellent vocabulary and was an amazing Scrabble player, with a 99% winning average on her evening games. She loved life and was enthusiastic about everything.

She was honored to serve on Tri City National Bank’s board of directors from 1998 through 2019, continuing the legacy after Dave’s passing. She dearly missed him, often wishing he could be there with her and her family to share the good times. Dave and Agatha are now happily reunited in Heaven.

Visitation Tuesday, June 8, 2021, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM followed by Catholic Mass at St. Charles Church, 313 Circle Drive, Hartland, Wisconsin. Entombment Wednesday, June 9, 2021, 11:00 AM at Arlington Park Cemetery, Chapel of Roses, 4141 South 27th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

If desired, memorials appreciated to the charity of your choice in Agatha’s name.