28 Dec Paul Kuetemeyer

Paul Kuetemeyer, 78, Bismarck, was called home to be with the Lord and his wife on the morning of December 26, 2023. Funeral services will be held at Charity Lutheran Church on January 2, 2024, at 10:30 am with a luncheon and burial to follow. Visitation will be at the Bismarck Funeral Home on January 1 from 5:00-7:00 pm followed by a prayer vigil at 7:00 pm.

Paul was born to Paul and Margaret (Varley) Kuetemeyer on June 4, 1945, in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Paul attended high school in Milwaukee, where he first showed an interest in sound systems and electronics by helping the high school drama class. This interest continued throughout his life, even up until two weeks before his passing, when he was at his usual seat as a sound tech for Charity Lutheran Church.

In January of 1965, Paul enlisted in the Air Force and attended the Ground Radar Communications Equipment Repairman course. In 1967 he obtained the rank of SGT/E-4, and ultimately separated from the military honorably in January of 1969. During his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. It was also Paul’s military service that brought him to northwestern North Dakota where he was assigned to a radar station in Fortuna.

In late 1968, Paul attended a choral concert at Minot State College where he met the love of his life, Kathleen Tornow. The two married in Devils Lake North Dakota and then moved to Bismarck where they had two daughters, Erin and Robyn. Paul and Kathy built a home in rural Burleigh County where Paul found joy in driving his tractors, tinkering in his shop, and helping Kathy and the girls maintain their horses and gardens. The two remained together on the farm until Kathy’s passing in April of 2004. Paul continued to live on the farm that he loved until January of 2023.

Paul started working for Northwestern Bell as a telephone technician and, over the years, eventually retired from Avaya Technologies in 2004. Six months later, with his good friend Roger Bjerke, Paul started Classic Communications. The pair quickly made a name for themselves and continued working on phone systems all over the area until 2020.

Paul enjoyed his life surrounded by his family and friends. Not least of which was “The Wild Bunch” who met every Wednesday for Dinner and Shenanigans. Paul loved his wife, his daughters, and his son-in-law. But becoming papa to his grandson Creed was his greatest accomplishment. Paul could not spend enough time with Creed whether it was reading stories, building Legos, or teaching him about John Deere tractors and military aircraft.

Paul was loved by so many; his humor and kindness was felt by everyone he met. He made friends wherever he went and was always well remembered. Even on his last days, he was found telling jokes to anyone that was ready to listen.

Paul is survived by his daughters Erin Kuetemeyer and Robyn Thompson, his son in law Brian Thompson, his grandson Creed Thompson, his brother Mark Kuetemeyer, and sister-in-law Rita Kuetemeyer, his two nephews Gregory and Nicholas Kuetemeyer, and his sister Ann Bentson.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife Kathleen Kuetemeyer, his parents Paul C. and Margaret Kuetemeyer, and his in laws Louis and Ethel Tornow.