Richard Kamletz

Richard Dale Kamletz, the last of the 12 children of Lou and Gladys (Gilpin) Kamletz, passed away on November 13, 2023.  Please join us for a memorial service at St Paul’s United Methodist Church, Jamestown, ND with Pastor Jennifer McDonald officiating at 4pm on Monday November 20th.  Dad was preceded by Viola, Ervin, Art, Bill, Lloyd, Melvin, Harry, Rusty, Leulla, Audrey, and his twin Roger.

Dad and Roger were the youngest. The family joke was that when the kids started coming in twos, Grandma said, “No way! No more!” The twins were close, very much alike and when working together were able to coordinate their efforts without the need for words.

Dad was known for his humor, strength, and intelligence in handling every challenge that came along.  Although he had little classroom schooling, he excelled in 'real-world' schooling and was able to figure out solutions to the challenges he encountered. He owned Kamletz House Moving and Construction for over 30 years. He always took pride in working hard and running a caring business, often taking pennies on the hour for his wage when working for small farmers.  He never was out to get rich (darn it!), but to have a good name. His favorite jobs were straightening and bracing barns. The payoff was pure joy when he was able to see an old barn stand tall and proud again.

His hard-working outlook stood strong through all the adventures of working on farms, in a bowling alley manually setting up pins, running a roller-skating rink, working for the Highway Department, and at the State Hospital in their electrical shop and farm departments. When work was difficult to come by, he even journeyed down south to pick cotton. So, when he said, "That cotton-picking" so and so, he knew what he was talking about.

His best day was marrying Jane Miller on August 11, 1961, in Edgeley.  Their first year of marriage proved to be a test.  He was roughed up by a bull at the state hospital, had a gas tank blow up, got caught in a power take off, and came within inches of being hit by a train in the middle of the night. Since they survived that first year, they figured they were golden. They loved family, so they were happy to welcome Kurt in 1964 and Marsha in 1969. Dad loved hunting, snowmobiling, and fishing. Fishing was a favorite family outing, no phones and no distractions. After retiring he really enjoyed ice fishing.  His prize fish was an 18 lb. Northern.  When mom got home, she didn’t even get to take off her coat as he pulled her down the hallway. To her surprise he had put the fish in her bathtub so she could see the fish swimming!

We are blessed to have such a loving family. While Dad is gallivanting around heaven, Mom is happy living in a nursing home in Wahpeton. Kurt is hiding in Alaska, and Marsha and her husband Dan are enjoying family and friends in Breckenridge.

Eddy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.