May 30, 1941– June 16, 2026 ______________________________________________________________________________________
Rita Rae Ullmann passed away at Walworth County Care Center in Selby on June 16, 2026.
Services will be held at Family Worship Center in Mobridge at 10 a.m. CT on July 31 followed by burial at the Hunt Family Cemetery at Eagle Butte.
Born May 30, 1941 in Kalispell, MT to Dallas F. and Margaret Fay Eklund, Rita spent her early years in Somers, MT before the family moved to Kalispell in 1950. It was there she met Donald Schott and they married in 1958. Married life first took them to Fargo, ND before moving to McLaughlin to work for Rita’s father-in-law, Jacob Schott. Together they purchased the Pete Schott Ranch north of McLaughlin and welcomed three children: Debbie, Dallas, and Joyce.
Rita was a ranch wife involved in milking cows, gardening, canning, and butchering. She made some of the best German sausage.
During this time, she was an active member of the Eastern Star, Cowbelles, and 4-H, immersing herself in McLaughlin and surrounding communities.
Later, Rita moved to Rapid City, attended further education and obtained her flying license. In her spare time, you may have found her painting, drawing, or playing the accordion.
In 1979, she married Bill Ullmann and joined him on the Cottonwood Ranch near McLaughlin. They grew their family with two more children, John and Angie. One of Rita’s most unique chapters in life was helping Bill build a sailboat, Saguaro.
With John and Angie aboard, they spent four years traveling on the East Coast, despite Rita not knowing how to swim. She treasured those memories by journaling and sent her memoirs back to South Dakota, where they were published in the Timber Lake Topic.
The family returned to South Dakota in 1996 and Rita ran the café at the McLaughlin sale barn. People still talk of the “at home” cooking and service provided at this establishment. She also opened and operated the local ambulance service for some time.
By 1999, with the last child graduated, Rita and Bill ventured to Pocomoke City, MD. Here Rita returned to active participation in the Eastern Star and became a leader on the board of directors of the Costen House Museum, making many dear friends along the way. Despite the miles, she made seasonal trips back to her family in Montana and South Dakota, making memories with them. After her husband’s passing, Rita settled in Timber Lake in 2024 with her dog, Charlie. With this final move, her travels did not end. She made trips back to the East Coast to visit her daughter Angie and son-inlaw, Tim, on the water–sailing, racing, and cruising the harbor.
Rita is survived by her children: Debbie (Jeff Verworn)McAdams of Columbia Falls, MT, Dallas (Liana Durocher) Schott of McLaughlin, Joyce (Jim) Mulloy of Timber Lake, Holly (Steve) Lewis of Bloxom, VA, John (Amy) Ullmann of Pierre, and Angie (Tim Tucker)Ullmann of St. Augustine, FL; brother Brian Eklund of Kalispell, MT; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Rita was preceded in death by her husband Bill Ullmann; parents Dallas and Fae Eklund; sisters Donna Keller, and Marti Elletson, and brother-inlaw Les Elletson.
(Joyce Mulloy’s address is 13490 250th Ave, Timber Lake, SD 57656)