Obituary of Martin Fred Kulm

Martin Fred Kulm, beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, passed away on June 8, 2023, at the age of 92, at the Charles and Katherine Hover Greenhouse homes in Longmont.

Martin was born August 16, 1930, in Leola, South Dakota, to John and Barbara Kulm. He was the youngest of seven children – Ella, Gene, Elmer, Irvin, Jack, Allen, and Martin. He was preceded in death by his parents, all his siblings, his wife of 67 years Delphia, his youngest son Danny and son-in-law Rhett Buckley.

Martin and Delphia Rueb were married in South Dakota on February 12, 1953, while Martin was in the Air Force. He was stationed at Castle Air Force Base in Merced, California where Jerome was born. Ronna was born in Fresno and Danny was born in San Jose, California. Martin worked at Lockheed in Sunnyvale California, along with his two brothers, Gene and Elmer, and their wives, Vera, and Fran. In 1963 Martin and Delphia bought a 300-acre ranch just outside Bend Oregon where they raised cattle and grew alfalfa. Martin also worked in town at the sawmill to supplement their income. There were times when he would call home asking for dry clothes after an unintended swim with the logs. A couple of years later Matin accepted a call from his brothers-in-law Ed Albrecht and Dave Binder to come to Colorado to be the administrator of one of their nursing homes in Sterling. Ten years later, they transferred to Loveland where together they worked at Sierra Vista nursing home. It was in Loveland where they were able to retire.

Martin and Delphia loved to travel in their motorhome, especially up to Tunnel campground close to Chambers Lake. They would often take their grandchildren with them. Martin always wanted to go to Alaska after retiring, but not wanting to damage the motorhome on the rough roads getting to Alaska, they bought a little pop-up trailer. Which of course had a broken axle on the way to Alaska. After retiring, Martin has more time for his favorite activity – fishing. He loved the trip he took up to Northern Canada to Pickerall Bay with his son in-law Rhett. He would be up at 5 o’clock every morning ready, even though their guide wasn’t picking them up until 8. He would always say “I sure would like to go back to Pickerell Bay one more time.” In the fall, his interests would change to pheasant and duck hunting. Occasionally he would go back to South Dakota to hunt with family. Martin and Delphia were fortunate to travel with family to Germany with some of Martin’s family and on numerous cruises with Delphia’s sisters. One of their favorite destinations was Branson, Missouri.

Martin is survived by his son Jerome (Diane) Kulm, daughter Ronna Buckley, and grandchildren Ben and Bryce Buckley, Corey Kulm, and Natalie (Eric) Cullen. Great grandchildren Trinity Buckley, Violet Kulm, Ernie, and Calvin Cullen, and many nieces and nephews.