Emily Walker Ulhorn

life story

Emily Walker Ulhorn, 90, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2026, after a brief stint with pancreatic cancer. She resided at North Shore Health Living for the last 2 years of her life.

Emily was born on November 22, 1935, to Tyler and Alice (Gaffney) Walker, in Minneapolis, MN. Her love for this area began when she attended the Grand Marais Art Colony for 2 summers (1954 & ‘55) with Birney Quick, Byron Bradley and Rob Kelley. She graduated in 1957 from Minneapolis Institute of Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree, majoring in painting, minored in printmaking. She taught painting and mixed media classes to school age students and adults at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for several years.

Emily married Robert Ulhorn on October 26, 1958, at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. They had two sons, Charles and David.

With her husband Robert, they opened and ran a small business, Collectors Studio, from 1963-1989. It was a custom picture framing business in Minneapolis and business grew to 2 locations. In the early 1980’s, Emily became a sales rep for a leading supplier of picture frame moulding and supplies, until her retirement in 1997. Emily sold to companies in the picture frame industry, selling in MN, WI, ND & SD. During her working years she was active in various organizations held several offices, including the president of the Upper Midwest Chapter of the Picture Frame Association, a trade organization.

Emily loved Lake Superior and living on the North Shore. In 1985 she purchased a cabin in Lutsen and spent her time between Minneapolis and the North Shore. In 1998, she moved to Grand Marais full-time and became a year-round resident.

Emily loved gardening and creating beautiful spaces through landscaping. Her love of nature and being outdoors were a driving factor for living in Grand Marais. Emily loved being active and playing bowling and volleyball, and going to the Portage Boys dances at the Care Center. She enjoyed skiing and playing tennis in her younger days.

Emily was very creative and had an eye for color which included talents in drawing, knitting, crocheting, and decorating. Emily was a talented seamstress and submitted garments to the State Fair competition. She made beautiful and functional wool braided rugs. Emily loved to read and missed being able to read in her later years due to macular degeneration.

Emily loved a challenge in her work and home life. She was a capable problem solver and an achiever – someone that got things done. Emily was a “no nonsense, independent person.”

Emily was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Grand Marais, where she served as congregational president, member of BLCW and the Bookies.

Emily was preceded in death by her parents, son Charles Matthew Ulhorn (1980), and husband Robert Ulhorn (1988). Emily did not wish to have a funeral service. Memorials may be sent to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Care Partners of Cook County, Grand Marais Art Colony, or to the Activities Department at North Shore Living, all in Grand Marais.

Many thanks to the caring staff at North Shore Living and to her special Care Partner friends, Karen, Elaine, Marnie and Colleen.