Walter F. Kull 1926 - 2005

KULL, LEMEK

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/14/2019 at 14:38:54

Sioux City Journal
23 October 2005

Walter F. Kull, 79, of Sioux City died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005, at his residence.

Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with the Rev. Dan Guenther officiating and Msgr. Richard Zenk as concelebrant. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 1 to 9 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 9 p.m., a rosary at 6:30 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Larkin Morningside Funeral Home.

Walt was born June 2, 1926, in Sioux City, the son of William and Anna Kull. He was raised in Sioux City and graduated from East High School in 1944. At East, he excelled in basketball, being chosen one of five on the All-City team. Two months after graduation, he entered the U.S. Army, where he served in the 116th Infantry, 29th Division, in the European Theater of Operation. He was awarded the Purple Heart and was honorably discharged in 1946. After the service, he worked for Armour and Company for 18 years until it closed in 1961. He then went to work for MidAmerican Energy (formerly I.P.S.) for 26 years, retiring in 1987.

On July 25, 1954, he married Bernardine Lemek at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sioux City. He was a faithful member of St. Francis Church his entire life until it closed in 1997. At St. Francis, he served in many capacities. He ushered, was on the parish council and the last 10 years of its existence, he was parish director.

Sunny was an avid sports fan and player. He was considered an outstanding third baseman in the 1940s and 1950s. His most memorable event was playing for Blue Bunny and representing Sioux City Fast Pitch in the world tournament in 1952. He was inducted into the Sioux City Fast Pitch Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Iowa Fast Pitch Hall of Fame in 1982. He was inducted into the ASA Fast Pitch Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, Okla., in 1985. In his younger years, he was an avid bowler, going to the ABC's and enjoying many bowling tournaments at the Park Bowl. He was a true Notre Dame fan and enjoyed his fall football trips to South Bend. He loved playing cards with all his buddies at the Point After. Most of all, he enjoyed his family, all the holiday get-togethers and especially enjoyed all of his grandchildren's activities. He was a member of Trinity Heights "Queen of Peace," the Carmelite Monastery and the Notre Dame Club of Sioux City.

Survivors include his wife, Bernardine of Sioux City, and in 2004, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary; two sons, Bill and his wife, Kim, and Bob and his fiancee, Jeri Lynn and family; a daughter, Julie and her husband, Bill Darwin; three grandchildren, Junior and Janell Darwin and Curtis Kull; two sisters, Helen Kull of Sioux City, and Mary Demarest of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a sister-in-law, Mary Lemek of Readfield, Maine; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Sophie; and a brother-in-law, Ray Lemek.

Pallbearers will be Tom Kloucek, Joe Conlon, Bernie Schreiber, Francis Foley, Joe Lemek and Dave Sabag. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Petersen, Greg Deman and Bob Roe Sr.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Heights or the Carmelite Monastery.