Ultis, Orlin Hugo

Orlin Hugo Ultis, 82, of 1705 Miami Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, at his home. Services at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories where friends may call after 2 p.m. Cedar Memorial Certified Celebrant Julie Freese will officiate. Entombment at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery

Orlin was born Aug. 7, 1930, in Kimball County, Neb., the son of Charles Frank Ultis and Edna Harmson. His stepfather was Robert Curry. Orlin attended Dakota Bible College, South Dakota. On May 18, 1950, he married Rose Marie Fish, but an auto accident took her life. Orlin then met and fell in love with Barbara Jane Muir. They married Oct. 2, 1954, in the Little Brown Church in Nashua. The couple raised three children in Cedar Rapids until 1981, when they moved to Mesa, Ariz. for 16 years. In 1997, they returned to friends and family in Cedar Rapids.

Orlin enjoyed a career in corrugated box design, working at Longview Fibre in Cedar Rapids and Ingram Paper in Phoenix. He was a creative packaging whiz for shipping even the most challenging of items. An extraordinary woodworker and handyman. Orlin's workshop was the ultimate “Man Cave” and a place where he loved to make sawdust. He had a passion for pets, spoiling several cats and doting on two box turtles named Ike and Francis. Quick with a pun or punch line, Orlin's sense of humor always brought a smile or a groan. A kindhearted soul, a believer in Christ, a devoted friend and loving family man, Orlin will be dearly missed.

Orlin is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara; his children, Steve Ultis of Morris, Ill., and Mark (Karen) Ultis and Lauren Joslyn of Cedar Rapids; his grandchildren, Peter Berntsen of Chicago, Madison (Tim) Seidler and Chelsea Ultis of Morris, Ill.; one great-grandson, Cohen Seidler; a brother, Arthur of Phoenix, Ariz.; sisters-in-law, Carol Allen and Marilyn Demory; and several nieces, nephews and their families, with two great-grandchildren on the way.

“The family would like to thank the staff at Milestones Adult Day Care for the wonderful care Orlin received there in the last year. We want to also thank St. Luke's Hospice and all the wonderful people who helped ease his last weeks. A special thanks to Gary Burkhart, Dr. Bell, Felicia, Jamie, Rosemary, Jeremy and Orlin's wonderful bath aide Donna Beachy from Home Choice Senior Care.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Cedar Valley Humane Society or the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter.

Please leave a message or tribute to Orlin's family on the website, under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Oct. 2, 2012.