Ursula Gerda Appel Rounds

Rounds, Ursula Gerda Appel

The story of the lovely Ursula Gerda Appel Rounds -- to be adequately complete -- must include words such as elegance, class, refinement, tastefulness and many more.

Ursula was born in Nuremberg, Germany, on the 9th of February, 1940.  Growing up in postwar Germany, she pursued a healthy lifestyle consisting of skiing, swimming, and the ever popular activity of hiking "Wanderungen" through the many beautiful forests of Germany.  She was always eager and ready to launch into adventuresome yet wholesome group activities with her friends.  And above all, the beautifully graceful and athletic Ursula loved dancing.

Being raised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints faith,  she readily embraced the moral code of her religion: chastity, honesty, being charitable to any needy person, thrift, hard work, self-betterment, and above all, love of God and His Son, Jesus Christ.  

Ursula was the last of the four children of Josef and Gerda Appel.  Her sister Marianne, being the eldest, preceded Ursula's arrival by four years.  Then in quick succession came Fritz one year later, followed by Rudi the next year, and finally, another year later, the little baby of the family, "Nesthäkchen" Ursula arrived.

Being active in the LDS church, she participated in all the church activities.  And at the age of seventeen, the beautiful Ursula caught the eye of a young LDS missionary from America named Don Wayne Rounds.  At the conclusion of his church mission to Germany and his return to the United States, Don wrote a letter to Ursula, who promptly replied.  Encouraged, Don quickly sent a second letter, which was followed by yet another eager response from Ursula.  Thus an eighteen-month 'pen pal' relationship was born, culminating in his proposal of marriage, and her acceptance.  

In February of 1959, at the age of 19 years, young Ursula's TWA Airlines Constellation   touched down in the dusty town of Albuquerque, NM, and Ursula and Don were married together for "time-and-all-eternity" in the LDS Mesa, Arizona, temple.  This marriage was blessed with two beautiful babies -- a handsome boy named Steven Wayne, and beautiful little Deborah, a "spittin' image" of her lovely mother (Later on when Debbie was in her teen years, she and her youthful mother Ursula were frequently judged to be sisters)!

Ursula was a devoted mother to Steve and Debbie, and the proud grandmother of 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.  Sadly, Debbie's twin boys Eric and Paul died at birth.  The remaining children from Debbie and Brad Haslam are: Vince Haslam (Erin) and daughters Avery, Molly and Magnolia; Aaron (Danielle) Haslam and sons Oliver and Wyatt; Emily (Matt) Rogers and sons Jack, Charlie and Harry; and Meagan (Adam) Henrie.  Steve and his wife Sharon's children are, in order:   Danny Wayne Rounds (Kelly); Kimberly (Ryan) Lewis and daughter Dahlia Gerda [named in honor of Ursula Gerda]; and Amanda (Lucas) Maes and daughter Eisley;  

Ursula, in addition to being a loving, active, hands-on mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and an active member of the LDS church, had a stellar career in the Space and Satellite division of Sandia National Laboratories where her "no-nonsense" work ethic and "attention-to-detail" professionalism earned her great admiration and respect, both from her supervisors, and her peers as well.

Ursula, having courageously fought off the deadly cancer Multiple Myeloma for almost 11 years, succumbed to its side effects on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday the 27th of November, 2014.  Ursula died just two-and-one-half months short of her and Don's 56th anniversary of their wedding vows, solemnly made in the Mesa, Arizona, temple on Feb 12th, 1959.  

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, December 1, 2014 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Panorama Heights Ward, 300 Loma Colorado Boulevard NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. Interment to follow at Vista Verde Memorial Park, 4310 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho, NM. In lieu of flowers donations may be given in Ursula’s memory to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). To view information or to leave a condolence please visit www.danielfuneral.com
Daniels Family Funeral Services
4310 Sara Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM  87124
505-892-9920