Norman Kuhlman

To view a recording of Norman's funeral service, please click the following link: View Funeral Webcast

Norman Leroy Kuhlman was born to Louie and Martha (Rasmussen) Kuhlman on July 8, 1925, on a farm in Fountain Prairie Township of Pipestone County, Minnesota where he was raised and attended country school. He continued his education at the high school in Ruthton, Minnesota. After his high school graduation in 1943, he helped on the farm. On November 29, 1944, Norman entered the U.S. Navy and served as a Seaman 1st Class by Taiwan during World War II on the U.S.S. Tangier. After his discharge from the service on July 15, 1946, he returned to the farm. On June 5, 1949, he was united in marriage to Norma Lange at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone, Minnesota. Following their marriage, they lived on the farm by Ruthton. In 1958, they moved to Orland, California. Later, they moved to a farm north of Pipestone. In 1977, they bought the Kuhlman farm where they lived and Norman raised cattle and grain until their retirement in 1990. In June, 2002, they had a farm sale; and in September of that same year, they moved to Pipestone. Norma preceded him in death on December 3, 2006. After her death, Norman continued to live in Pipestone. In September of 2016, he entered Falls Landing Assisted Living in Pipestone. In December of 2021, he entered the care of the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. In February of 2022, he moved to the Riverview Healthcare Center in Flandreau, South Dakota where he died peacefully on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the age of 96.

Norman was baptized on March 11, 1926 at Grace Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota. He was confirmed in 1940 at St. James Lutheran Church in Holland, Minnesota. He was a life-member of the Woodrow Wilson American Legion Post #506 in Ruthton, Minnesota. From 1966 to 1972, he served on the ASC Board. He also served on the REA Advisory Board for many years. He volunteered many hours at the Pipestone County Medical Center. He enjoyed woodworking, and he also enjoyed crocheting lap blankets and scrubbers for his kids. At the age of 80, Norman learned to play organ and also took ballroom dancing lessons, which he greatly enjoyed. He also liked to go to auctions and farm sales.

He is lovingly remembered by his four children, Robert (Dee) Kuhlman of Tyler, Minnesota, Dale (Patty) Kuhlman of Tyler, Minnesota, Rhonda (Steve) Ollerich of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, and Todd (Susan) Kuhlman of Aurora, Colorado; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Harlan Kuhlman of Minneapolis, Minnesota; one sister, Arlene Smesrud of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; special friend, Shirley Wathen; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma; his son, Larry; his parents; and two brothers, Merle and Harold Kuhlman.