Buntrock, Kermit (1911-2001)
BUNTROCK, WELDE, WILSON, KELSEY, PETERSON
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/2/2010 at 21:50:40
Kermit Buntrock - June 18, 1911 - Jan. 10, 2001
Monday, January 22, 2001
Mr. Buntrock passed away Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2001, at a retirement home in New Bern, N.C., where he had made his home since last July.
Kermit Louis, the son of Louis Bernhard Johann and Louise (Welde) Buntrock, was born June 18, 1911, in Waukon. He graduated from Waukon High School. He then attended the University of Iowa where he earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in journalism.
In 1935, he came to Storm Lake to work as a reporter for the Buena Vista County Herald. After that paper folded, he moved to Texas where he was a reporter for the Alice Echo. A short time later he returned back to Storm Lake as a news and sports editor for the Register and Pilot-Tribune.
On June 9, 1939, he was united in marriage to Lucile M. Wilson in Sioux City. His wife died on Oct. 15, 1995.
During World War II, he served in the United States Army in the Battle of the Bulge as a cryptographer. His service under the command of General George Patton inspired him to stage a national reunion of the Battle of the Bulge veterans in Storm Lake in 1996.
Following the war, he teamed up with Duane Salie and purchased the Harrison-Dillon Studio and renamed it Buntrock-Salie Studio. The business was sold to Bob Ansorge in 1974.
Buntrock was involved in numerous civic groups and participated in most of the significant community events over the past 50 years. He had perfect attendance at Hi-Noon Kiwanis for more than 60 years and was governor of the Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis district in 1964.
He was Buena Vista University's longest serving trustee and a past president of the Storm Lake Chamber of Commerce. In 1982 he served as president of the Professional Photographers of America, was an active member of Lakeside Presbyterian Church, a 50-year member and past master of the Jewel Masonic Lodge No. 309, and belonged to the Elks Lodge and Abu Bekr Shrine.
He was a lifetime fan of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and was instrumental in organizing the National I-Club more than 50 years ago.
Mr. Buntrock is survived by one son, Kermit Jr., and his wife Terry of Williamsburg, Va.; one daughter, Ann Kelsey and her husband Bill of New Bern, N.C.; one grandson, Mark Kelsey of Atlanta, Ga.; one sister, Beulah "Scoot" Peterson of Appleton, Minn. and one brother, Arno Buntrock of Las Vegas, Nev.
Visitation will be held after 2 p.m. today with the family present from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Burial will be at Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery. Fratzke Funeral Home of Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.© Copyright 2001, Storm Lake Pilot Tribune
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Buena Vista Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
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