Richard H. “Dick” Kultgen, age 83, of the town of Port Washington, Wisconsin passed away peacefully at home on the family farm early Saturday, June 12, 2021.
He was born on July 23, 1937; son of Raymond and Christine Deppiesse Kultgen. Upon the death of his father at a young age, his mother married Charles “Dolly” Burton.
Born and raised on the farm with his brother Ray, Dick attended the former Maple Grove School, a one room schoolhouse just west of the farm. The building still exists and Dick had great memories of those days. He graduated from Port Washington High School, class of 1955.
The farm and the cows were his life, but farm life changed when he married Susan M. “Susie” Jackson of Duluth, MN on September 5, 1970 at St. Jean-Baptiste Catholic Church in Duluth. The couple settled back at the Kultgen family homestead in the town of Port Washington and raised their family.
Dick retired in 2008 but very rarely left the farm. He continued to pridefully supervise.
Over the years, Dick was involved in the community through St. Peter of Alcantara Parish and its Finance Committee and the Port Washington Jaycees. On the agricultural side, Dick was named Ozaukee County Farmer of the Year in 1971 and active with the Dairy Herd Improvement Association of Ozaukee and Washington Counties. For over 23 years he served with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Farm Service for the US Department of Agriculture.
He enjoyed farm life but he said he enjoyed retirement more. Traveling with his wife and especially the grandchildren; he adored his grandchildren. Dick loved to get together with others to talk politics or the weather. He was keenly interested in family and local history, television documentaries and animal shows.
Dick is survived by his three children Sara (Jeff) Robinson of Port Washington, Stacy Eibs of the town of Port Washington and David (Angie) Kultgen of Milwaukee; three grandchildren: J.J., Andy and Karissa Eibs and feline friends Pumpkin “the red one”, Vinny “the grey one” and Wheezy “the white one”. He is further survived by his sister Diane (Harold) Tackes of Waubeka and his brother Raymond (Gerry) Kultgen of Port Washington, brothers-in-law Dennis Zephran and Joe Schuessler, sisters-in-law Jackie (Mike Hess) Huybers and Mary Jackson, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife Susie on June 3, 2020, his sisters Darlene Schuessler and Marilyn Zefran and brother-in-law Michael “Mick” Jackson.
Private family services were held. Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Port Washington.
Memorials to the charity of your choice appreciated.
To the staff of the Sharon S. Richardson Hospice and Rocky Knoll Health Care Center of Plymouth, a very heartfelt “THANK YOU” for the support and care given to Dick and the whole family. You are gratefully appreciated! Also thank you to dear friend Sharon Hirschmann for her dedication, comfort and assistance during these stressful times.
I am sorry for the loss of Dick . He was a great boss that I enjoyed working for. I was honered to be left in charge of the farm while he and Susie went on vecation. He will be missed. My condolences to the family.
Our condolences from the Gene Ellner family. My dad enjoyed keeping in touch over the years. God bless the family going forward.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have to echo the feelings of my sister, Cecelia. We surely had fun times when they visited us on our family farm as well as when we visited them on their farm. We all looked forward to the weekends when our folks said, “The Kultgens are coming” or “We are visiting the Kultgens.” I really believe it was a race to our car to be the first one in it. May the Lord bless Richard’s soul and may he be at peace.
With much love and respect..
So sorry for your loss Susie, Ray and Gerry and Diane . He was one of our fun cousins especially when he visited us on our farm. He always made us laugh and he had a nickname for everyone of us . May he rest in peace in the arms of the Lord.
My condolences to the family.
Peace be with you Diane, and Ray and Gerry.
Charles Burton and my grandfather Clarence Burton were brothers.