Celebrating the Life of Dolores Marie Ullstrom

Dolores Marie Ullstrom (née Komives), age 86, passed away peacefully at her home on June 6, 2026, just two days after celebrating her 86th birthday. True to her nature, Dolores found immense joy in life until the very end, leaving behind a legacy of love, intellect, and community.

Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 4, 1940, to Peter Andrew Komives and Leona Daisy Pratt, Dolores grew up in a proud working-class family in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood. As the third of five siblings, her childhood was filled with cherished memories of the Minnesota State Fair and days spent at Como Park.

Dolores was educated at St. Columba Catholic School and Wilson High School. A lifelong learner, she attended the University of Minnesota, where she earned a degree in Physical Therapy. She later advanced her education by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Public Health. It was during a dance at the University of Minnesota that she met the love of her life, an engineering student named Gene Ullstrom, beginning a beautiful life journey together.

Dolores and Gene eventually made their home in Independence, Minnesota, on the shores of Lake Sarah, where she lived for over five decades. Dolores was deeply invested in her community and gave her time generously. She was an active volunteer for the Girl Scouts, the Lake Sarah Association, and her local Catholic church.

A gifted writer, Dolores shared her voice and intellect by writing for The Catholic Bulletin, her union newsletter, and documenting local history. Her interests were vast and varied; she was passionate about gardening, local, state, and national politics, and supporting local institutions. She was a long-time supporter of Como Park, the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Catholic Charities, and the Ames-Florida-Stork House among others.

Dolores made friends effortlessly. She possessed an innate ability to bring people together, radiating a warmth that drew others to her. Even in her later years, as she lived with a physical disability that limited her mobility, her social circle never stopped growing. People naturally gravitated toward her quick smile, sharp wit, and genuine interest in others. She remained an active, vital member of her Monday morning book club and her beloved Lake Sarah Knitters group, meeting with them regularly until her passing. She loved children, nature, and the simple joy of a good conversation.

Dolores was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gene Ullstrom; her cherished daughter, Emily; her parents, Peter and Leona; and her sister, Barbara Graff.

She is survived and deeply missed by her son, Joseph Ullstrom, and her daughter, Susanne Ullstrom Tabery.. She leaves behind a legacy of love for her grandchildren: Andrew Dau, and Joseph's children, Jeffery, Rhiannon, and James. She is also survived by her siblings, Mary Shearon, Judy Harris, and Robert Komives, as well as many other relatives and a vast network of dear friends.

The family extends a special and heartfelt thank you to her cherished caregiving team—Mary H., Katie A., and Kay S.—whose dedicated support allowed Dolores to live fully and comfortably at home. They were so much more than caregivers, they were great friends.

Dolores’s final wish was for those who knew her not to dwell on sadness, but rather to find joy in their fond memories of her, and with each other.

"Look for me in the blooming gardens, the pages of a good book, and the quiet beauty of Lake Sarah."

Service Information: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the Church of St. George, located at 133 Brown Road, Long Lake, MN.

Visitation: 10:00 AMFuneral Mass: 11:00 AM (Officiated by Father Shane)Luncheon: A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the church.Interment: Private family interment will take place in the afternoon.