Ulrich

Loretta Ann Ulrich, known lovingly to family and friends as Granny Lu, passed away on July 23, 2026, at home surrounded by her family after a short courageous battle with cancer. She was born on March 18, 1955, in Weimar, and lived a life marked by love, faith, kindness, and devotion to those around her.

Loretta was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whose presence brought warmth and comfort to everyone who knew her. She was a loving, friendly, and faith-filled woman whose Christian faith guided her throughout her life. Her gentle spirit, steady strength, and caring heart left a lasting impression on her family and community. She was the kind of person who made others feel welcome, valued, and supported, and she carried herself with grace in both joyful times and difficult seasons.

She graduated Salutatorian of her class of 1973 from Bishop Forest High School in Schulenburg, and carried the values of hard work and responsibility with her throughout her life. After marrying Mark on Aug. 11, 1973, she worked as a seamstress while he attended college, even sewing most of her own clothes during the first years of their marriage. If you ask Mark, he would tell you that when he took her shopping she would always say “I can sew that cheaper”. Her resourcefulness and determination were evident early on, and those qualities remained a defining part of who she was. She later worked as a bank teller inAlice and Portland, and then as an oil and gas accountant for Texas Oil and Gas in Corpus Christi. After moving back home, she began working for Cal-Maine Foods as an accountant and Administrative Manager, where she served faithfully until her retirement in 2017.

Loretta took great pride in her work, but her greatest joy was always her family. She is survived by her husband, Mark of fifty-three years; her sons, Christopher and his wife, Amanda, Bradley and his wife, Susan; granddaughters, Carley, Brooke, and Jaelynn, who were the joy of her life. She is also survived by her sisters, Verlene Ulrich and her husband, Eugene, and Norma Petras and her husband, Michael and brother-in-law, Gary Bayer; her mother-in-law, Virginia Ulrich; sister-in-law Diana Mikesky, brothers-in-law, Roy Ulrich and wife, Melanie, Glen Ulrich and George Gold; and numerous nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elreed and Lillie Dittrich; her father-in-law, Eugene Ulrich; and her sisters, Beverly Bayer and Imogene Dittrich and sister-in-law Paula Gold.

Loretta loved sports and enjoyed playing volleyball and softball with friends in Portland and Corpus Christi. Even after moving back home, she continued to enjoy athletics and the friendships that came with them. She especially loved watching her sons play sports, and later, one of the greatest joys of her life was watching her granddaughters play high school and travel ball. She was a devoted supporter from the sidelines, always cheering with pride and delight. Her love for her family was evident in the way she celebrated their accomplishments and treasured every moment spent with them.

Her service heart was also reflected in her involvement with Lions International with the La Grange Bluebonnet Lions, where she found joy in traveling, meeting fellow Lions, and serving alongside others who shared her commitment to helping people. Through Lions, she and Mark were able to see many places and meet many wonderful friends. Loretta also loved to travel with her husband and sisters and their husbands, especially on trips to National Parks across the United States. These adventures created treasured memories that she held close throughout her life. One of the most memorable experiences of all was visiting Brad and his new family in China, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that she deeply cherished. She also found ways to relieve stress and enjoy time with others through girls’ trips to a casino or two, sometimes joined by other family members, creating laughter and memories that will be remembered fondly.

Loretta will be remembered for her unwavering love, her kind and welcoming nature, and the faith that sustained her. She lived with purpose, cared deeply for others, and gave generously of herself in both ordinary and extraordinary ways. Her family and friends will forever hold close the many memories of her laughter, her encouragement, and her steadfast presence. Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy of love, friendship, and faith will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations of La Grange from 1-7 p.m. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 p.m. A Holy Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Schulenburg on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church Cemetery in Holman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Texas Lions Camp, St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church-Holman, Hospice Brazos Valley, or to a charity of one’s choice.

Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals. com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange.