LaVern "Bud" John Kalmbach , 85, Minot, N.D., died Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014 in a Minot nursing home.

He was born on his family's farm June 16, 1929 in Burke County, North Dakota to Chris and Anna (Folkert) Kalmbach. He attended a country school up to eighth grade, then he, his parents and his nine siblings moved to Kenmare, N.D. He graduated from Kenmare High School in 1947.

Bud worked for Great Northern Railroad as a telegrapher. He met his wife, Donna Sem, in 1949 and married her in 1950.

Bud was drafted in March, 1951, to serve the United States in the Korean War in Germany as a staff sergeant for the Army Intelligence. He served honorably until 1953. Upon his return, Bud resumed working as a telegrapher. Then, in 1963, Bud and Jim Jensen started Signal Realty. Bud returned to the railroad to work as a train dispatcher for Burlington Northern until his retirement in 1984.

He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church congregation in Minot, the Minot American Legion chapter, the Masonic Star in the West Lodge No. 33, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and the National Association of Retired Railroaders. He was also a life member of the Minot Railroad Museum.

Bud was very generous and had a big heart. He helped people whenever he could. He was an RSVP volunteer at the Lutheran Home and helped deliver food for Meals on Wheels. Bud was a pillar of strength for his family. He was an especially devoted grandfather.

He was well-known and loved for his sense of humor and his ability to make people smile in a moment's notice. Bud felt he was very gifted with many exceptional friends.

He is survived by: his wife Donna, Minot; daughter, Marcia (Craig) Pool, Fargo, N.D.; son Lane (Jennifer) Kalmbach, Minot; grandchildren Maxfield (Crystal) Pool, Fargo, Alexander Pool, Dickinson, N.D., Colton Pool, Fargo, and Andra (Joel) Johnson, Glendale, Calif.; step-grandchildren Morgan (Ashley) Leigh, Minot and Sterling (Doug) Leigh, Minot; great-grandchildren Eban, Liam, Drake, Hollis, Laszlo, Meegan and Sawyer. He is also survived by his sisters Shirley Shipman and Carolyn Swanson; brother-in-law Robert Swanson; and sisters-in-law Mavis Kalmbach, Rose Kalmbach, Marilyn Moericke and Marlys Kalmbach.

He was preceded in death by his parents Chris and Anna Kalmbach; mother- and father-in-law Art and Esther Sem; brothers Marvin Kalmbach, Edward Kalmbach, Robert Kalmbach, Herbert Kalmbach and Lester Kalmbach; sisters, Eleanor Vadnais and LaVonne Emerson; brothers-in-law Floyd Shipman, Keith Emerson, Wally Sem, Dale Sem and William "Bill" Vadnais; and sister-in-law Arlene Kalmbach.

Celebration of Bud's Life: 1:00 p.m. Monday, October 13, 2014, at Zion Lutheran Church, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Visitation: Sunday, October 12, 2014, from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to the Second Story, Youth For Christ or to the Disabled American Veterans, all of Minot.