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Ulrich, Byrdena
Heaven's canvas brightened on Monday, June 20, 2011, as the Lord welcomed home an artist, Byrdena Ulrich.
Byrdena was born on April 20, 1925, in Toddville, Iowa, to Walter (Pete) and Olive (Oliphant) Hepker. She was married to Robert J. Ulrich on Feb. 6, 1945, in South Mills, N.C., and they made their home in Cedar Rapids and then Lisbon, Iowa.
All who knew her were touched by the warmth of her smile and the beauty of her work. She was best known for her life-size painting of the Last Supper that is part of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mount Vernon.
Thanks to the professional and compassionate care of Hospice of Mercy, Byrdena died peacefully at home surrounded by the love of her family. She lives on in the hearts of her husband, Robert; son, Jeffery (Sue) Ulrich of Marion; daughter, Nancy (Steve) Archbold of Bloomfield, Neb., grandchildren, Cameron (Patty) Ulrich, Kimberly (Scott) Yeater, Tamara Ulrich, Sandra (Tim) Ketelsen, Tricia (Tim) Pekarna and Dana Archbold; as well as 13 great-grandchildren; her brother, Don Hepker; sister, Leota Andersen; sister-in-law, Winifred Scrom; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass and celebration of Byrdena's life will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 23, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mount Vernon. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church. A private family burial will be in the church cemetery in Lisbon.
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