Ulrich E. Zeisler

1928 ~ 2021

Viewing:

Oct. 23, 2021
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Rose Park 1st Ward 760 North 1200 West, Salt Lake City, UT
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  • Service:

    Oct. 23, 2021
    12:00 PM
    Rose Park 1st Ward 760 North 1200 West, Salt Lake City, UT
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    Our beloved Husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, great great-grandfather Ulrich E. Zeisler, age 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by family members on October 15, 2021, in Bountiful, Utah after a long illness. Born March 18, 1928 in Koeslin, Pommern, Germany to Erich Paul Zeisler and Elsa Anna Helene Thomas Zeisler. Ulli became a member of the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints on June 7, 1947 and married Hilda Wilhelmine Margarethe Gertrud Kuchens, on November 18, 1950. Ulli and Hilda immigrated to the United States with their three young children in October 1954. On November 19, 1956 their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple and they have been happily married for 61 years.

    In his early years before the WWII Ulli’s schooling was very demanding and more education was required. At age ten Ulli joined the Junkvolk Hitlers Youth Program, which was mandatory. This is when Ulli became interested in the German Navy. From 1942-1945 Ulli was being trained to be a naval officer. During the time Ulli was in Hitlers Youth Program he was grateful for food and other items which were scarce at the time. Ulli’s highlight of his military service was being trained on the Horst Vessel which was later taken as a war reparation by the United States and re-commissioned as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle. Ulli’s dream came true many years later when he joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Utah. For 26 years he served diligently and eventually became the Division Captain on January 1987 in Utah. He wanted to give back to the great United States of America. Ulli was grateful for this opportunity to serve and give back to this country. To be able to serve with his wife and son (Wolfgang) in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. A historical documentary was done by KSL where Ulli served on this magnificent ship both as a German and American seaman. The coast guard flew him and Hilda to San Francisco, he was later ferried out to the Eagle and received a grand welcome coming through the Golden Gate Bridge. After the war things were different, when the Germans lost the war. Life for him changed. Food was a seven hour wait for a loaf of bread with no guarantee of getting it. Work was very scarce. He went back to his father and grandfather’s trade and became a brick layer. A trade that was in need because of the devastation of the war. In the spring of 1948, his family moved to Bremerhaven and Ulli’s father was in charge of the re-construction. Things were great except for working for his father. Even his coworkers were saying he was being treated unfair. But later in life his father taught him a valuable lesson in hardships and no favoritism because his dad was the boss. During 1948 to 1954, he found religion and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This was a remarkable turnaround from previously being an atheist. He met Hilda at a church function. After their courtship they got engaged on April 20, 1950. Seven months later November 18, 1950 they were married. Life was difficult during those early years but they managed with almost nothing. But they were happy, they had the gospel. They raised three young children, Gisela, Erich and Wolfgang. Ulli wanted to come to the United States of America and get a better life. They got word from friends in the Bremerhaven LDS Branch who gave them a challenge. This family had left earlier to go to America. They offered to lend them the money and all they had to do was take a leap of faith. Ulli and Hilda prayed for guidance of what to do. The answer came, leave Germany and start new in America. Ulli arrived in Salt Lake City with a wife and three young children, which was frightening. He called it the new world for his family. On November 19, 1956, their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. His first landlord was nervous about renting to this family, especially with the stigma of the war. He was a Union bricklayer which helped him get his first job building curbs and gutters in Salt Lake City. He began to remember what his dad had taught him. Work hard and it will pay off. Bricklaying was seasonal job and he felt he would never get ahead. As soon as Ulli paid off one loan, he had to get another. He did whatever it took to provide and even became a door-to-door salesman. But through his faith, Ulli knew it would all work out. Brick laying is a hard profession and was taking its toll on his health. He needed to make a change. That’s when he made a decision to get an education and make better living for the family. In 1959 he quit laying bricks and got a job as Electronic Technician for a local radio station. This created so many new opportunities. But, without citizenship papers there became stumbling blocks. But this did not slow him down. He desperately wanted to be a citizen of the United States. This was difficult in those early years. The war was still on the minds of many Americans. Ulli understood he needed to learn a new language and education to obtain citizenship. This would be easy for him, but for his wife it would be a challenge. Ulli worked multiple jobs to make ends meet. This opened new opportunities for his love for education. Ulli’s training in the navy came in handy. Ulli was asked if he would be interested in teaching a basic mathematics course where he worked. He took the challenge and started his path on becoming an educator. He knew he needed a college degree to further his new career path. He started to teach at the Utah Trade School because at that time they didn’t require a college degree, but he had experience in the field. He pursued a degree in Technical Education. At the age of 44 years old, Ulli earned a Bachler of Science degree from University of Utah and later a Master degree from Utah State University. Ulli’s teaching career started to blossom. He taught at the University of Utah Merill Engineering Building. Reflecting back, he realized he was a bricklayer on that building many years ago. He taught slide rule classes in the basement of his home to high school teachers so they could assist their students. He had a passion to teach and material came easy to him. He continued his education as a Professor at the Salt Lake Community college. In 1974, he became a Department Head of the Electronics Department and Electricity Departments. In 1963, Ulli and Hilda bought their first home in Rose Park. Truly a dream come true. Always remembering his past in Germany, during the war, and to be blessed to now have his own home. Ulli took pride in this home and did major remodeling and upgrades. Skills he learned as a bricklayer. But more important the opportunities for his spiritual progress. He loved to serve no matter what was asked. He was called to many positions but his favorite was teaching the Gospel Doctrine Class and the High Priests. He would read four or five books at the same time to increase his knowledge of the gospel. Ulli served in the bishopric, stake high council and many other stake callings. He was so grateful for the love of the original Rose Park 3rd Ward which eventually changed to the Rose Park 1st Ward. This provided so many blessings for him and his family. He tried to keep in touch with many of those he home taught and many other families that moved. The ward was home for Ulli and Hilda for fifty-seven years and Ulli’s testimony grew. During these years he served several church service missions and was still able to attend the Temple daily with his friend, Elden Taylor. During his retirement years Ulli’s name changed to Opa. Opa meaning grandpa in German. He loved his posterity unconditionally and wanted the best for them. Ulli loved to learn, so what better way was there than to travel. Ulli and Hilda traveled the world and took many cruises. Ulli’s favorite trip was to Israel. Ulli took this time to reflect on the Savior and visiting those places Jesus Christ himself walked. Ulli will always be remembered for his affection for the Savior, Jesus Christ, and the compassionate service he generously gave to others. Ulli will be missed, but his testimony will be in our hearts - until we meet again Liebe Opa , wir lieben Dich and sehen Dich wieder.

    The family wishes to express a special thank you to the family Doctor, Dr. Cope; Oncologist Doctor, Dr. Skidmore; Bristol Hospice Julianne and Ariel and staff of Creekside Assisted Living. They were so loving and caring for the needs of our family and especially Ulli during the last several months.

    Funeral Services will be held Saturday October 23, 2021, at the Rose Park 1st Ward, 760 North 1200 West. There will be a viewing from 10:45 AM to 11:45AM with the service at 12:00 PM. Interment will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.


    Guestbook/Condolences

    As presadent of the terrances of rose park it was always a pleasure at our meetings and his humor. Ive missed him ever since he moved. Your loss is also our loss.


    - John littlefair

    We miss our good friend Ulli. We had the privilege and honor of being associated with him for so many years in our Rose Park 3rd & 1st Ward days. Many of our church callings gave us a great opportunity to serve and socialize together often. As a drafting student at Utah Tech I occasionally got a chance to say hello to him there as well. In more recent years we found ourselves attending the Bountiful Temple together and enjoying a good meal afterwards with Ulli and Elden at Chuck-A_Rama.
    Our condolences and love to his family,
    Rodney & Carol Hatch


    - Rodney & Carol Hatch

    Thanks for many years of friendship and working together at the college. You started the program with the U.P.R.R. and I am still working with them. Thanks again for your support and encouragement through the years.


    - Stanley Lawrence

    I am sorry for your loss. Ulrich was a real asset when the Coast Guard Auxiliary was assisting in teaching the Personal Watercraft Education program and also providing the boating safety message on Utah's lakes and reservoirs. He will be missed.

    Ted Woolley
    Utah Boating Law Administrator (Retired)


    - Ted Woolley