Sharon E. Kulzer

Mass of Christian Burial for Sharon will be on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Foreman, North Dakota. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery with lunch and fellowship to follow at the church.  

Sharon E, Kulzer, 83 of Devils Lake formerly of Forman ND passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at Eventide Heartland Care Center.

There will be a Funeral Service on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Eventide Heartland Care Center Chapel with Reverend Mr. Ken Severinson officiating. There will be services in the spring at Forman, ND with burial in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, rural Forman ND. Date yet to be determined.

Sharon Elizabeth Gibson Kulzer was born on October 27, 1940, to William and Sylvia (Boche) Gibson in Neenah, Wisconsin. Her parents ran Gibson Wrecking Yard for many years. Sharon’s parents and two brothers Burt and Duane put in long hours at the yard leaving Sharon and her two sisters Janet and Barbara to attend to chores and meals at home.

Sharon graduated from Neenah High School in 1958 and later started work at Marathon Division, American Can Company and got her first apartment.

Sharon met Kurt Kulzer while he was working at Kimberly Clark. It was after his 2-year service in Germany, that they were united in marriage on October 10, 1964, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Appleton, Wisconsin.

They moved to North Dakota where Kurt grew up and made their home in Forman. They went into partnership in Wayne’s Bar. They later bought out their partners and named it Kurt’s Bar and Lounge. They ran the bar together for 29 years. Many special events happened at Kurt’s Bar: to name a few; the Forman Centennial, Sargent County Fair, Syttende Mai, motorcycle rallies, street dances, Halloween, and birthday parties, and even their 25^th Wedding Anniversary party.

In 1966, their only daughter, Debra, was born. When asked why they didn’t have more children, Sharon often joked they were too busy running the bar.

Kurt passed away on August 25, 1994, after batting cancer. Sharon made several trips with him to the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis for surgery and treatments. She always took care of him at home and still managed to work at the bar with much help from good staff, friends, and hospice.

Sharon continued to run the bar for 16 more years until 2010, when she retired, putting in 45 years of business.

Sharon’s retirement was spent gardening, making people laugh, playing Bingo, socializing and being in a pool league. She enjoyed several holidays and Christmas in Devils Lake with her daughter Debra, son-in-law Jon and grandson Jaden and all of Jon’s family. She enjoyed many of these events with her very dear friend Gary.

Sharon moved to Devils Lake, ND in 2016 to be closer to family as her health declined. Sharon, Deb, and family spent much time driving around, looking at wildlife at Sully’s Hill Natural Preserve. She loved being outdoors and sitting on Deb’s deck or taking a ride on their golf cart. This always had to be done with a mint malt or hot chocolate in hand, her favorites.

Sharon had a soft spot for people in need, or sick. She donated to several charities, always rooted for the underdog, and treated people in the way she would want to be treated. Sharon’s quick wit and humor was a joyous entertainment for all that knew her.

Grateful to have shared in her life are her daughter: Debra (Jon) Hunt of Devils Lake; grandson Jaden Hunt of Fargo; brother-in-law Duane Andersen of Neenah WI, several nieces, and nephews,  and those many treasured members of the Kulzer family.  

She was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Sylvia, her husband Kurt, brothers Duane Gibson and Burt Gibson and sisters Barbara Andersen and Janet Gehrke.

As Sharon’s daughter I would like to sincerely express my appreciation and gratitude for the excellent care my Mom received from the entire staff at Eventide.