Carlene Marie Ulrich

Carlene Marie Ulrich ran the race of her life and finished well on February 19th 2025. She was born in Bismarck, ND on July 3rd 1962 to Ronald and Minnie Keller. She grew up on a farm, and graduated from Elgin, ND High School in 1980 and NDSU in Fargo, ND in 1984. She married her high school sweetheart, Dennis Ulrich, on June 30th 1984, and they were blessed with two sons, Nathan and Bryan. 

She had a 41-year career as a dietitian and has spent the last 31 years working for La Crosse County at Hillview and Lakeview healthcare centers, where she developed close relationships with many co-workers. She mentored many students and was an expert in long term care dietetics. 

She loved running and participated in several half marathons and many races. She walked in the evenings with her close friends Lori and Leslie. Fitness was a part of her life, and she, her husband, and family, traveled to many state and national parks to enjoy hiking and the great outdoors. 

She is survived by her loving husband, Dennis, her sons Nathan (Lauren) and Bryan (Carlee and unborn baby granddaughter), her parents Ronald and Minnie Keller, her brother Leon Keller, her sister Patt (Steve) Larson; her father-in-law James Ulrich, brothers-in-law Larry (Darlene) Ulrich, Clayton (Rhonda) Ulrich, Bob Doll, and sisters-in-law Gayle Hayes, and Susan Richter, and many nieces, nephews, and relatives; and close family friends Tom and Lori Lecheler as well as countless other friends. 

She was preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Leona Ulrich, sister-in-law, Paulette Doll, brothers-in-law, Dave Richter and John Hayes, and her precious dog Zoe. 

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 25th at Roncalli Newman Center, 1732 State Street, La Crosse. Visitation will be held on Monday from 4-7 p.m. at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Avenue South, La Crosse and again on Tuesday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. A private family burial will be held in New Leipzig, ND at a later date. 

We will forever love her to the moon and back. 

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Steppin’ Out in Pink-Gundersen Medical Foundation.