Ann Ulmer

(From Ulmer Funeral. Home)

Lois Ann “Ann” Ulmer (nee Howard), age 93, of Carthage, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 27, 2026, a day that was always hers. Ann was born in Carthage on February 19, 1933, to Dr. Walter Marion Howard and Alice Fiedler Howard. 

Ann graduated from New Athens High School in New Athens, Illinois, in 1951 and attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. On November 8, 1952, she married Edwin Carl “Eddie” Ulmer Jr. at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Joplin, and the couple made their home in Carthage, where they raised their four children. 

Ann was a lifelong member of Grace Episcopal Church in Carthage, where she served as president of St. Mary’s Guild and established a fund to help young men of the church pursue a theological education. Her faith was at the heart of her life, and her well-worn Bible, tucked full of prayers, notes, and bookmarks, showed how much it meant to her. Giving of her time was part of who she was. She delivered meals with Meals on Wheels, packed food bags for Carthage children through Grace Church’s Lunches of Love program, volunteered at St. Luke’s, where she also attended services, was a founding member and president of the Tri-Cosmos Club, and chaired Ladies Day at Broadview Country Club.
Ann worked for many years as a medical assistant for Dr. Williams and also worked at the Fair Acres Family YMCA, where she remained a fixture long after, working out nearly every day and cherished by her “Family of Friends” there. 

She loved to travel and saw much of the world, including the tulip fields of the Netherlands. She enjoyed bowling, was an avid reader who never missed the Carthage Chronicle, and loved watching sports, above all the St. Louis Cardinals, always keeping up with the latest scores no matter the game. Ann was a wonderful cook who clipped recipes from magazines, church cookbooks, and the Carthage paper, tried every one, and made notes on each. 

Ann is survived by her four children: Mark Ulmer (Jackie), Suzanne Baucom (Mark), Michael Ulmer, and Cynthia Ulmer. Grandchildren include Justin Ulmer, Allen McReynolds V (Kristen), Lauren Harris (Isaac), Austin Wolf (Kendal), Katherine Ulmer, and Caroline Ulmer. Great-grandchildren include Bayleigh Ulmer, Clayton McReynolds, Chase McReynolds, Gaige Harris, Gabriel Harris, Grayson Harris, Carson Wolf, and Kensley Wolf. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie; her parents, Dr. Walter and Alice Howard; and her granddaughter, Lexi Ulmer. 

The Ulmer family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff and caregivers of St. Luke’s Assisted Living, who cared for Ann like family during her final year, and to St. Luke’s Nursing and Rehabilitation and Three Rivers Hospice for their compassion and kindness. 

A private service will be held Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Grace Episcopal Church in Carthage, where Ann will be laid to rest in the church columbarium. Memorial gifts are suggested to Grace Episcopal Church in care of Ulmer Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.ulmerfh.com. Cremation arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Ulmer Funeral Home, Carthage.