Wilbert Kramlich, 90, of Kulm, ND, died March 5, 2024 at Ave Maria Care Center, Jamestown, ND. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Kulm Assembly of God Church. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 from 6:30 – 7:00 PM with a Celebration of Life Service at 7:00 PM at Kulm Assembly of God Church. Burial will be held at Kulm Assembly of God Cemetery. A livestream of Wilbert’s funeral service will be available on the church website.
Wilbert Calvin Kramlich was born July 12, 1933 in rural Dickey County, ND to Reinhold and Leah (Roloff) Kramlich. He attended country schools until the 8th grade. Wilbert worked for various farmers in the Kulm area until he met the love of his life, Elnora “Ella” Quashnick. Wilbert and Ella were married May 10, 1953 at Ashley, ND. It was then Wilbert began his tradition of bringing his bride a fresh bouquet of the first crocuses each spring. He continued to bring her those crocus bouquets every spring throughout their 60 years of marriage. They began their farming career on a rented farm near Ashley. In 1962, they had the opportunity to purchase a farm of their very own near Kulm, ND. It was there, they farmed and worked side-by-side until their retirement in 2011. Wilbert and Ella enjoyed collecting and displaying their John Deere toy tractors in their home, and many other John Deere items. Wilbert lost his precious Ella to cancer September 25, 2013. His health began to decline and he entered Manor St. Joseph in Edgeley, ND in February of 2015. His Manor family helped him to once again enjoy life. In June of 2023, his health took another significant turn and he moved to Ave Maria in Jamestown, ND, where he made new friends with the staff with his “special smile” and his winks.
As his time grew short, he looked forward to being reunited with mom (Ella). He spoke of spring coming early this year and to watch for the crocuses, perhaps he could bring her one more bouquet when he sees her again. Being a life-long farmer, he approached his last days with his common expression, “ I’m running out of gas”. On their last visit, after enjoying his chocolate pudding and coffee with Genien and Wyatt, he stated, “My tank is almost empty”. Wilbert went to sleep at his earthly home at Ave Maria, to awaken in his heavenly home on March 5, 2024.
Wilbert is survived by their daughter, Genien (Scott) Gahner, Kulm, ND and their family; Jason (Mindy) Gahner, Shawn Gahner, Wyatt Gahner, Madison Gahner, and Scarlette Gahner. His brothers, LeRoy (Joyce) Kramlich, Kulm, ND, Donald (Shirlain) Kramlich, Aberdeen, SD, sisters, Marion (LeRoy) Schweigert, Lehr, ND, Violet (Darrell) Buchholz, Lehr, ND, and Elaine (Dwight) Johnson, Moorhead, MN. Sisters-in-law, Betty Lou Nitschke, VanCouver, WA, Vangie Kinzler, Sibley, ND, brother-in-law Floyd Schnabel, Ashley, ND, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by Elnora “Ella”, his wife of 60 years, his parents, Reinhold and Leah Kramlich, brothers-in-law, Roger Kinzler, Melvin Nitschke, and Art Woehl, and sister-in-law, Darlene Schnabel.
Share memories and sign the online guest book at www.feistfuneralhome.com Feist Funeral Home of Wishek/Napoleon/Kulm, ND entrusted with arrangements.