David LaVerne Kulm, known as Vern to his friends and family, passed away on May 13, 2023, at the age of 83, in Boise, Idaho. Vern was born on February 13, 1940, in Wendell, Idaho. He was a loving husband to Joanne and a devoted father to his four children, David (Susan), Brian (Janet), Kyle (Erica), and Joy (Shawn Zadow). Joanne and Vern would have celebrated their 60 th wedding anniversary in June of this year. Vern is survived by his wife, children, three daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren along with four brothers and two sisters.
Vern attended Jerome Idaho High School, where he graduated in 1958. He went on to attend the University of Idaho, where he earned a degree in Forestry in 1964.
Vern had a 30-year career as a Forester, starting in 1964. He spent three years in Pennsylvania before moving to Montana, where he spent the next 27 years of his career.
Vern spent two years in Alaska accompanying Joanne while she taught school in a remote village. They returned to Alaska two years later supporting Alaska Mission For Christ.
When you remember Vern, you will remember him as a man of many talents. Vern was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010, but he never let it define him. Not only was he an amazing singer but he also excelled in his painting. Vern was an active member of many church choirs and Barbershop Quartet. Looking around his home he shared with Joanne you can see many of Vern’s oil and watercolor artwork displayed on the walls.
Vern was an active member of the scouting community. Always ready to tell a story of his many outdoor adventures he shared with his family. Vern was an avid fisherman who appeared most content on the water in his boat with a fishing pole in his hand waiting to pull in his next catch.
Vern was a faithful member of multiple Lutheran churches, most notably, Calvary Lutheran in Kalispell, Montana, and Holy Cross Lutheran in Spokane, Washington.
A service in memory of Vern will be held at the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Boise, Idaho, on June 16, 2023. Vern will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. Donations can be sent to Alaska Mission for Christ in Vern’s memory at www.alaskamissionforchrist.org.