Lynn J Culver

Lynn J. Culver, 98, Bismarck, died May 20, 2016, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 am Friday, May 27, at Church of St. Mary, 806 E Broadway Ave., Bismarck, Rev. Msgr. Gene Lindemann officiating. Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation. Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck. Lynn was born April 30, 1918, in rural Stark County on the farm his father homesteaded in 1906. Although he had many professions over his lifetime, he always had the heart of a farmer and enjoyed watching the growth of his own flowers and plants. His parents were Edward Delos and Elizabeth Emiline (Walker) Culver. He was the seventh child in a family of five girls and five boys. Though he was just a young man when he lost his mother, he raised his youngest sister Shirley from the time she was 11 up until she married. He graduated from Versippi High School and attended Dickinson State Teachers College for seven quarters. He took courses from other colleges eventually earning his bachelor’s degree at Ashland University in Ohio. Following his graduation he served as an adjunct instructor at Ashland, teaching business courses. His early employment included government work in Washington, D.C. Later, after serving in the U.S. Army Air Corp in World War II, Lynn began his career in insurance while establishing a local agency in Bismarck. He and his brother Raymond worked as district managers for Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. of Madison, Wisconsin, which later became the American Family Group. In 1955 he accepted employment with the Milbank Mutual Insurance Co. of Milbank, South Dakota, where he served as treasurer and managing officer from 1960 to 1971. He then became associated with the Shelby Mutual Insurance Company of Shelby, Ohio where he served as a director of the company and of its subsidiary companies. His work there consisted of managing the investment portfolios. He retired as vice president of investments in 1985 and returned to Bismarck. During his insurance career he was active in a number of national insurance organizations. He served as president of the National Conference of Mutual Insurance Companies and on the executive board of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. He earned the designation of CPCU (Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter). Lynn loved to travel. Over the years, he visited Kauai many times often accompanied by his daughter Virginia and other various family members. He also traveled to Columbia and England. He shared in a vacation cruise to the Caribbean with his brother Gordon. In addition, he made countless trips to Montana to visit siblings, relatives, and his daughter and her family for holidays and celebrations. Lynn played golf for many years. The game gave him an opportunity to spend time both with his brothers and friends. He loved reading, often books political or historical in nature. Over the last 8 years, Lynn resided at Valley View Heights where he established many friendships. Both residents and staff enjoyed his cheerful whistling as he walked the halls every day. Lynn was a true extrovert. He genuinely enjoyed seeing old friends and making new ones. He was a mentor and inspiration to his nephews and nieces. His generosity touched many organizations and people. He always had a positive attitude and a heart of gold. He impacted the lives of all people that he met until his death on May 20, 2016 at the age of 98. Survivors include his daughter, Virginia (Ed) Onstad who reside at Fort Benton, MT; Grand-daughters, Danielle (Mark) Smith and Scotti (Jesse) Wood of Fort Benton, MT, and Misti and Tavia Onstad (Ryan Wafer) of Portland, OR; great-grandchildren, Ameya Smith and Jagger and Dashel Wood. Also surviving is brother, Gordon, of Colorado Springs, CO. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Katherine, his parents, his sisters Mabel, Helen, Vivian, Gladys, and Shirley; and brothers, Donald, Clifford, and Raymond.