Canadian Catholic News
The death of Fr. Albert Ulrich, OMI occurred peacefully in the Palliative Care Unit at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, after a short illness.
The funeral for Fr. Albert Ulrich, OMI, will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026 at St. Philip Neri Parish, 1902 Munroe Avenue S., Saskatoon, SK. A live-stream video of the funeral will be available on the Saskatoon Funeral Home website (LINK). The interment will take place at St. Charles Oblate cemetery at The Ridge, in Battleford, SK at 2 p.m. Oct. 21.
Fr. Albert Ulrich was born Feb. 23, 1933, in Wilkie, SK, to Anna (Eberhardt) and John Ulrich.
After his schooling in Leipzig and North Battleford, he entered the novitiate of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate at St. Norbert, MB, professing his First Vows on Sept. 8, 1953. After his scholasticate training at St. Charles Scholasticate in Battleford, SK, he professed his Perpetual Vows Sept. 8, 1956, and was ordained to the ministerial priesthood on Sept. 29, 1958, assigned to St. Mary’s Province.
Ulrich served both the Oblate community and the church community with a generous heart, in numerous different roles. He was pastor of many parishes in Saskatchewan, was in retreat house ministry, and vocation ministry. He also served his religious community in leadership for many years, both as superior and as a member of the provincial council.
He took the time for personal renewal and sabbatical, and was a prayerful man, committed to his Oblate community, his parishioners, and his family. He enjoyed very good health until the end, known for his phrase “I’m disgustingly healthy.” After retiring to Trinity Manor in Saskatoon with his brother Oblates in community, Ulrich continued to take his turn presiding at Eucharist, anointing the sick and hearing confessions. He also had a special ministry of helping others with wheelchairs and walkers at mealtimes.
Fr. Albert Ulrich was predeceased by all of his immediate family: his parents Anna and John, his brothers Lawrence (Rose Salzl), Raymond (Margaret Kresse), Leroy (Helen Derendorf), Donald (Mathilda Gruber) and sisters Josephine (August Sittler) and Helen (William Squires).
He is remembered with great fondness by many nieces and nephews and their families. They remember their uncle greeting them with a phrase that connected their names to a biblical event, never turning down a cribbage game, visiting and saying Mass in their homes, baking (especially with wild berries) and being very frugal. He liked gardening, with varied success. While at St. Mary’s Residence at Battleford he brought the greenhouse alive again and produced bushels of tomatoes for Oblate houses (including Mazenod Residence in Saskatoon) and family members.
Ulrich is remembered by his religious community, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, OMI Lacombe Canada and their associates.
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