Marquette, MI – Dr. Mark W. Ulrickson, age 59, of 1104 Jefferson St., Marquette, passed away on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at his home following a battle with cancer.  He was in the loving care of his family and Lake Superior Hospice at the time of his death.

Mark was born December 19, 1956 in Ishpeming, the son of the late William and Margaret (Hillman) Ulrickson.  He attended the Ishpeming Public Schools and was a graduate of Ishpeming High School, Class of 1975.  Mark served his country first in the United States Marine Corps.  Upon his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps he attended Northern Michigan University and received his Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry.  He worked for a time as a chemist prior to attending medical school in the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University, where he received his Doctorate of Osteopathy.

Mark then entered the United States Navy, serving as a general practice physician. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, then served as an ophthalmologist in Maryland and in North Carolina. He left active service in the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Commander and advanced to Commander while serving in the Navy Reserves, of which he was a member until his death.

He entered private practice first in Wisconsin, and then in the Upper Peninsula after moving back in 2003.  He was one of the current owners of Upper Peninsula Eye Specialists and had served in Marquette, Ishpeming and several other locations throughout the Upper Peninsula. He was a compassionate physician who cared for his patients as people and took time to get to know them.

Other than his work, Mark had a passion for sailing, traveling, mountain biking, snowshoeing, his motorcycle, and spending time outdoors, especially with his canine companion Raleigh. He had a strong faith in Jesus as his savior and was a member of CrossBridge Church in Ishpeming.  He served as a Big Brother in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program.  Dr. Ulrickson was a diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and had been published in the Review of Ophthalmology.

Survivors include his 4 children – Joy (Konrad) LaPrade of Gastonia, NC, Peter W. (Maria) Ulrickson of Hyattsville, MD, Juliann Ulrickson and her husband Patricio Vélez Saeteros of Portoviejo, Ecuador, and Valerie (Adam) Aalto of Marquette. He is also survived by Coleen Parks, to whom he was married for 28 years. Other survivors include 4 grandchildren – Kathryn and Jonah LaPrade, Anna Teresa Vélez Ulrickson and Molly Aalto, as well as another expected in May 2017; sisters – Randi (David) Dalton of Cortland, NY, Trudi Racine of Abilene, TX and Lisa (Tony) Ombrello of Ishpeming, brother Bruce (Jeri) Ulrickson of Granger, IN, an aunt, Betty Salaz of Taylor, and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Peter Ulrickson.

The Ulrickson family will greet relatives and friends from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday in the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home with the Rev. Kevin McIlhany to officiate.  Military honors will be accorded by the United States Navy Honors Team at the conclusion of the services. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.  A meal will follow at CrossBridge Church, 119 N. Third St. Ishpeming, MI.

Memorials may be directed to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Marquette & Alger Counties, Compassion International, or Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

Mark's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .