Obituary
Barbara A. Ulrich
Barbara A. Ulrich 76, passed away Jan. 16, 2024 at Gundersen Health System. Barbara was born April 16, 1947 to Edwin and Shirley Crogan. After graduating from Central High School she married Fredric Ulrich and they lived their life and raised their children in La Crosse. She retired after 35 years at Trane Company and then some years later went to work part time at the La Crosse Tribune taking care of the obituaries.
Her husband Fred passed away in 1999 after battling cancer. Not long after, the grandchildren started to arrive. Barbara cherished all her time she was able to spend with them and rarely refused an opportunity to have them sleep over and hang out with Gramma.
Barbara enjoyed many hobbies and activities. She loved traveling to tropical locations and escaping the harsh Wisconsin winters on Carnival cruises with her friends Mary, Michael and her brother Richard, enjoying fine dining and cocktails, shopping and their many sunny adventures. She also loved gardening, cooking, canning, reading, computer games and attending concerts and plays. She was also an avid Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers fan. In her early years she also enjoyed playing on bowling, softball and pool leagues. After her husband passed away, she put a swimming pool in the backyard and every weekend was a pool party with her children, grandchildren and many friends. Good times with wonderful memories that she spoke of often.
Barb was an avid animal lover and treated each of her pets like a valued family member. She leaves behind her beloved kitty Punkin. Her son Scott and his family have already given her a new home.
Barbara is survived by her brother Richard Crogan, daughter Sheila (Garth) Bendel, son Jeffrey (Lori Leiterman) and their children Maxwell, Mitchell, Jaxson. Son Scott( Danielle) and their children Olivia and Samuel. Also survived by many cousins, neices, nephews and friends including her most cherished friends Mary Sue and Helen.
Barbara was proceeded in death by her husband Fredric, her parents Ed & Shirley, her beloved aunts and uncles, Allegra Crogan and Michael Nolan.
Barbara will be deeply missed by her family and friends and all those whose lives she touched with her generosity, love and kindness.
In honor of her wishes, there will be no services. She requested that we all skip over the sadness and have a celebration of life when the frozen tundra thaws. We will celebrate her life and all the wonderful memories sometime in June when the sun is shining and we have all put our grief aside.
My deepest sympathy – Barb was a warm, wonderful person. I know we enjoyed many chats when we were suppose to be working.
I have fond memories of Barb during our Trane days. She was my Go-To at the factory!
Celebrating those fun memories. My condolences to the family during this difficult time.
Thoughts and prayers to you, enjoyed working with Barb.
My heartfelt sympathy. I worked with Barb at the Tribune and fondly recall those days. She was a pleasure to work with and I will always remember her kind and caring nature.
What great memories working (and laughing) alongside Barb at The Tribune. I first made Barb’s acquaintance at Trane. She was a devoted employee, and a good friend to everyone. So sorry to learn of her passing.
I have fond memories working with Barb at Trane. She was always so sweet and helpful.
So sorry for your loss. She will be missed.
I’m so sorry to Barb’s family and send my deepest condolences. I was blessed to work with her at the Tribune where she was so kind and patient and dedicated to her work. I have many good memories there with her.
To Scott, Jeff and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. I knew your mom and dad at the beginning of their relationship and then through the years ended up knowing the two of you through my son, BRIAN. Had fun memories of your parents. Love and prayers sent to you all.
Love, hugs and condolences for family??
My condolences to the family. She was lovingly known to the Crogan family as “Chickie” and I remember helping at her wedding reception. We could always count on her to “tell it like it was”! She also inherited the Crogan sense of humor!! Rest in Peace, dear cousin.