Carl Kolterman Died Sunday at Age of 84

Mr. Carl Frederick Kolterman, probably the oldest business man in Blair, passed away Sunday morning, September 17th at the Blair Memorial Community Hospital at the age of 84.

He was born at Millard, Nebraska on September 24, 1882 and would have been 85 years of age next Sunday. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kolterman. They moved to Washington County in 1893 and farmed for 1 ½ years. Mr. Kolterman worked in Blair at the Buckeye Roller Mills until he bought a ranch in Atkinson, Nebr. in 1905.

On January 28th, 1906 he was united in marriage to Christina Von Lanken. They were the parents of three sons, Carl of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Fred of Wahoo and Herb of Blair. Mrs. Kolterman passed away on May 19, 1941.

From 1908 until 1911 Mr. Kolterman was manager of a lumber yard in Scribner. On January 21, 1911 he started operating the “Racket Store” a variety store in the building now occupied by the Harris Shoe Store. Later the business became Kolterman’s Ben Franklin Store and moved into its present location in 1941.

Besides being a successful business man, Mr. Kolterman was an active worker in the Trinity Lutheran Church and many civic affairs. He was a past president of the Blair Chamber of Commerce; a charter member and past president of the Blair Rotary Club.

In 1961, the Blair Chamber of Commerce honored him for his outstanding work and interest in the community over a long period of years. He retired in 1964 and his son Herb became manager of the business.

Mr. Kolterman is survived by his wife Irene, whom he married on May 2, 1943. Also his three sons, eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and one brother, John of Red Oak, Iowa.

Funeral services were held at the Trinity Lutheran Church at 2 P.M. on Wednesday. The Rev. S.R. Peterson officiated. The Bendorf Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements and burial was in the Blair Cemetery.

Active pallbearers were: John Reid of Omaha, Vern R. Hinders of Ashland, P.V. Hansen, Raymond Ruwe, Fred Sass and Harold Rabbass. Honorary pallbearers were: Albert Schultz, Ernest Long, Alfred Sick, LeRoy Snyder, Charles Christensen and Wm. Blatter.

Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clipping on file at the Blair Public Library.