Calvin M. Kilber Obituary (1934 - 2014)

Calvin M. Kilber, 79, Bismarck, passed away Thursday, May 8, 2014, at Sanford Health, Bismarck. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at Faith Lutheran Church, Bismarck with Rev. Jon Splichal Larson officiating. Visitation is scheduled for 5-7:00 PM, Monday, May 12, 2014, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM, at DaWise-Perry Funeral Services, Mandan. Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Calvin was born August 17, 1934, at Stanton, North Dakota, to Leonard and Karoline (Baezler) Kilber. He was raised and educated in Stanton. At the age of 17 he started working on the Garrison Dam Project, until they realized he was too young to work there. He also worked on the Oahe Dam in Pierre, South Dakota. He operated heavy equipment for most of his life with the Local 49ers Union. He was well known in the area for his crane operating skills. On June 24, 1955, he married Darlene Sailer in Stanton, North Dakota, and together had three children. He tinkered on everything in his shop. He was always thinking and designing new ideas, such as taking a ford starter with a Model T steering gear to make ice augers. He also designed a meat mixer out of stainless steel pipe that was used by family for many years to process meat. He made down riggers for salmon fishing by using electric car window motors. Because of his love for hunting and fishing, he designed a variety of smoke houses and enjoyed helping others with cleaning, butchering, and processing. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Darlene, two sons, Jerome (Sandra) Kilber and Mal (Kathy) Kilber, all of Bismarck; two sisters, Leona Isaak, Bowden, ND, and Esther Reinschmidt, Beulah, ND; brother, Nestor (Jeanette), Stanton, ND; five grandchildren, Cory (Lacy), Craig (Hailey), Jessica, Martinn, and Kaitlin; five great grandchildren, Brekka, Kenleigh, Jayla, Paxton, and Reiler; and numerous nieces and nephews. Calvin was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Kilber; sister, Frieda Miller; and five brothers, Ed, Bernard, Ruben, Eldor, and Wally.