Peter "Pete" Kulzer

Peter M. “Pete” Kulzer, age 62 of Sauk Centre, passed away unexpectedly, surrounded by his family on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at the CentraCare Hospital in Sauk Centre, MN.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 16 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers and a rosary will begin at 7 p.m. A private inurnment will be held at a later date.

Peter Melvin Kulzer was born December 11, 1963 in Greenwald, Minnesota to Alcuin and Angie (Olberding) Kulzer. He was the second youngest of seven. Pete was united in marriage to Carol Kettler on August 16, 1985 in Melrose.

Pete worked most of his career at JL Construction Company in the cities. When Pete, Carol, and Jesse moved to Sauk Centre in 2004, Pete started working for Ready Mix Concrete in Sauk Centre followed by being a handyman. No matter what he was doing, he worked hard at it.

Pete defied medical expectations. He was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease in 1984 and fought it. Pete’s oncologist, Dr. Greg Vercellotti, continued to check in over the years, becoming much more than a doctor, he became an important and cherished part of Pete and Carol’s lives. Pete had many procedures and health complications that lasted throughout his life, but he never complained.

Pete loved to ride his Harley, go fishing, hunting, camping, watching the Twins with his wife Carol, and finding projects to work on. But the greatest joy of his life was being a father to Jesse and more recently a grandfather to his grandson, Weston. Through Jesse, Pete also gained a daughter, Alexis, whom he adored.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Alcuin and Angie Kulzer, brother-in-law, Jon Erickson; sister-in-law, Michelle Kulzer; and brother, Tom Kulzer. He is survived by his wife, Carol Kulzer; son, Jesse, (Alexis) Kulzer; and grandson, Weston Peter Kulzer; sisters and brothers, Arlene Kulzer (Kelly Myers), Dan (Stephanie) Kulzer, Paul Kulzer, Randy Kulzer, Mary Erickson, and sister-in-law, Judi Kulzer; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Saint Judes Hospital and Eagle’s Healing Nest donations.