Rolla Steven “Skip” Uldricks, 69, of Coldwater, formerly of Union City, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital.
A celebration of Skip’s life will be held at his farm at a later date.
Born on August 31, 1950 in Battle Creek, MI to Wilbur and Naomi (Seymour) Uldriks, Skip grew up in Union City and graduated from Union City High School in 1969. He went on to graduate from the University of Maryland with a Master of Arts degree in teaching. While at college, one of Skip’s fondest memories was while playing basketball for the Terrapins at the University of Maryland, he got to play against and guard basketball great “Pistol” Pete Maravich.
Over the years, Skip lived in Winnipeg, Canada and multiple states in the U.S. before returning to Michigan in 1999. On October 25, 2014 Skip married Jennifer Garrison at his farm in Coldwater. He was previously married to Angie Leeth, Michelle Wroblewski and Klaudia Fisher.
A man of multiple interests and talents, Skip was employed by Western Publishing doing yearbook art; worked in banking and construction; and bartended in the Battle Creek area at Jack’s, Barney’s and the Verona Lounge. He co-owned The Corner Palate in Banner Elk, NC, where he introduced its customers to sushi. He also worked at several state parks, including Hillsboro and Bahia Honda in Florida and Yankee Springs in Michigan. More recently, he and his wife, Jennifer, established 558 FoodForestFarm & Nursery on River Road in Coldwater, their “little patch of Eden,” and were working toward creating a year-round farm market.
Skip had a Type A personality and an absolutely hilarious, dry sense of humor. He was a one-of-a-kind person who thrived on creating new things and improving upon existing ones. A talented artist, Skip painted commissioned works, as well as did many paintings as gifts. He also liked giving away the exceptional bread he baked. Skip wanted the best for everyone and was fond of saying, “It doesn’t matter if you fail, just keep swinging,” and he greeted everyone with “Hey, Slim.” He did most everything he had wanted to do and lived multiple lifetimes within his 69 years.
Left to cherish Skip’s memory are his wife, Jennifer; son, Joshua (Jennifer) Uldriks of Marshall; step-children, Nitia (Victor Hanshaw) Garrison of Union City, and Sydney Fraley and Skyler Fraley at home; grandchildren, Jevin Uldriks and Jorja Uldriks of Marshall; his pop, Jim Marietta of Coldwater; siblings, Marcie Scofield of Hastings and Matt Uldriks of Ionia and his lifelong friend, Jim (Jack Handshaw) Fisher of Fairfield, PA.
Skip was preceded in death by his biological parents; his third wife, Klaudia Fisher; and a brother, Mark Uldriks.
Memorial donations may be sent to Lighthouse, PO Box 161, Union City, MI 49094 or go online at
https://www.lighthousefuneral.com/funeral-funding/donate-to-funeral-expenses
to assist the family with final expenses.
