Bernard "Ole" Koehmstedt

Bernard “Ole” Koehmstedt, 85, of California passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2016 in California.

Bernard “Ole” was born in Maida, ND on January 22, 1930 to Victor and Gladys (Howatt) Koehmstedt. He attended Maida elementary school and Minto Township Consolidated before graduating from St. Alphonsus High School in Langdon in 1947. When Ole was five years old, his mother died so for some time, he stayed with the Clarence Olsen family, and they gave him the nickname “Ole”. He also lived with the Lloyd Hart family working on the farm and driving himself and the Hart children to school. Ole worked at the Percy Fast farm, drove gravel truck for Richard Stalker, and worked for Phil Gellner. He also worked for Keusel Coal Company in Milwaukee, WI, at an upholstery factory in Plymouth, MI and at the Cavalier County Courthouse in Langdon until enlisting in the Air Force. He was stationed in San Antonio, TX until terminating his stint after a few months and returned to Langdon to work for Joe Kellerhuis. Ole then worked for his uncle, Charles Koehmstedt, until being drafted to the US Army in 1951.

Ole and Josephine Ballweg were married while on a weekend pass. In the army, Ole was in Japan and Korea before being honorably discharged and returning to Langdon to work at Lambert Lumber and Kertz Lounge. In 1955, he started working for United Telephone Corp. in Langdon and was transferred to Walhalla to be district manager. He and Jo had two children: Kelly, who passed away shortly after birth, and Lee.

Ole and Helen Plante were married August 7, 1964 in Cavalier. They had two sons: Lynn and Ole Dean. The family moved to California where Ole worked for General Telephone Company for 20 years. After retirement, he and Helen enjoyed several years of traveling. They especially enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren.

Ole is survived by his wife, Helen; sons: Lee (Jill), Lynn (Allyson), and Ole Dean (Carrie); grandchildren: Christie, Craig, Erin, Brett, Alexis, and Nicole; and siblings: Anna Mae Hansel and Helen Haaven along with numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, son Kelly, and siblings: Verna Kartes, Marjorie Coyle, and Eleanor Hardigree.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, March 29 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Langdon, ND with visitation starting at 12:00 p.m.

Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Langdon