KNUTE KULBECK obituary

HARLEM - Knute Kulbeck, 78, died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, at a Fort Belknap hospital due to natural causes.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Harlem High School gymnasium with burial following in the Harlem Cemetery.

Knute was born on June 26, 1925, in

Vermillion, Alberta, to William and Margaret Hall. He was adopted and raised by Edwin "Bat" and Flossie Kulbeck. Knute was raised and attended school in Havre. At the age of 18 he began his farming career with nine head of cattle.

In 1947 he moved to Harlem where he owned and operated a dairy farm until 1965. He continued to farm and ranch west of Harlem until retiring in 2001.

Knute married Ardele Berg on May 11, 1958, in Havre. He was one of the original founders of the Vita Rich Dairy and became the sole owner in 1977. He managed and operated the Vita Rich Dairy until 1991. He was active in community events and served on various boards including the Harlem Irrigation Board for 20 years, Milk River Joint Board of Control for five years, Milk River Riders Saddle Club and Harlem School Board for nine years.

Knute enjoyed life to the fullest. His interests included watching sports, playing cards, horse racing and hunting.

Knute was preceded in death by his wife Ardele Kulbeck on March 20, 2003.

Survivors include sons, Terry Kulbeck of Ukiah, Calif., Charlie (Julie) and Tim (Tana) Kulbeck, all of Harlem; six grandchildren, Ed, Alan, Lacey, Mickey, and Timmer Kulbeck, all of Harlem, and Justin Clark of Santa Fe, N.M.; two great-grandchildren; sister, Janet Matyanchuck of Canada; brothers, Harold (Dorothy) Hall of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and Bill Shaw of Canada.

Memorials may be sent to the Gift of Life Housing at Benefis Healthcare Foundation, PO Box 7008, Great Falls, MT 59406-7008.

Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.