Merritt “Stretch” Benny Ulmer  was born January 20, 1948, to Leon and Evelyn (Rice) in Miller, South Dakota. He graduated from Miller & Hartford High School  in 1966. He continued his education at Omaha Technical College where he studied to be an automotive technician. Stretch and his father owned a gas station in Sioux Falls for many years.

Stretch married Elaine Brouwer on November 13, 1973. Their marriage was blessed with three boys - Kristopher, Wade, and Seth. Stretch worked at Bayliner in Pipestone from 1973 until the plant closed in 2008. Stretch always had a huge smile on his face and was known for being a jokester.  He also enjoyed cars and sports, but especially drag racing. 

Stretch passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. He is loving remembered by his wife Elaine; sons Kristopher (Jerilyn,) of Clear Lake, S.D., Wade (Katherine) of Fremont, Neb., and Seth (fiance Sara) of Spearfish, S.D.; his sister-in-law Darlene (John) Ruiter; brother-in-law Larry (Sandy) Brouwer; and sister-in-law Thelma Scholten; and his grandchildren: Jason Ulmer, James Ulmer, Jordan Ulmer, Olivia Ulmer and Elena Ulmer.

Stretch was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers-in-law Wayne Brouwer and Stan Scholten.