After nearly 16 years of service to the Iowa-Missouri Conference, Kathy Ulrich (probably best known by church members as the voice on the other end of the phone at the conference office and as the helpful lady behind the registration counter every year at conference camp meetings and women’s retreats) retired at the end of February.
Kathy—who served as conference membership clerk; office receptionist; and administrative assistant to the communication, women’s ministries, and youth departments—will be most remembered by office colleagues not only as a diligent worker, but as a friend.
“I am grateful for Kathy and the 15 years she has been assisting me,” said Gail Coridan, women’s ministries director. “She has applied herself in learning new things and accepting challenging assignments all along the way. Kathy has proven herself a punctual and responsible employee and a praying friend. Praying friends are my heroes, and I love this girl.”
“It has been my pleasure to work with Kathy for almost a decade,” said Denison Sager, youth director. “She has been my righthand helper nearly the entire time I’ve served in Iowa-Missouri. Whether it was handling registrations for Adventurer or Pathfinder events, printing summer camp or Pathfinder manuals, helping with events at Spring Camporee, or organizing our monthly Pathfinder newsletter, Kathy has really helped our youth programs run smoothly and efficiently!”
Sager added that he especially appreciates the relationship Kathy has with his family. “She always took the time to interact with my children when they came to the office,” he said. “My family and I will all miss her and the laughs we shared together.”
“It has been fun to work with Kathy and to see her genuine commitment to Christ,” said Robert Wagley, executive secretary. “I was inspired watching her step up to preach the gospel during an overseas mission trip to Africa, and she has continued to inspire me all these years in the office. She has fearlessly taken on countless challenges, doing whatever was asked of her. She has tackled the role of membership clerk with vision and commitment, helping to train membership clerks all over the conference in using more modern technology to manage local membership records. I will miss her spirit and her desire to serve.”
Kathy and her husband, John (already retired), are in the process of moving to rural northern Minnesota, where they plan to enjoy a quiet life in retirement filled with fishing, hiking, spending time in nature, and being part of a small-town faith community.
“I’ve enjoyed these many years at the conference office, working in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and serving the members of Iowa-Missouri,” Kathy said. “I will miss you all.”
