At 12:55 AM on December 8, 1954, in Akron, Colorado, Doc Waski welcomed Timothy Albert Stulp into the world. Tim quietly left us on March 23, 2023, at the Yuma District Hospital after a short illness resulting from pulmonary fibrosis. A lifelong resident of Yuma County Colorado, Tim’s generosity towards his family, friends, and community will be remembered and missed by those who shared his life.
Tim graduated from Yuma Union High School in 1973 where he made lifelong friends, and was active in public speaking, and 4-H, serving as the state 4-H Vice President in the early 70’s. He was a sought-after livestock judge and was on the judging teams at Northeastern Junior College, Oklahoma State University, and Colorado State University where his team placed at the Grand National Livestock Judging competition in San Francisco, California. He completed his education in Animal Husbandry at CSU.
On December 10, 1988, Tim, Cindy (Baum) Woltemath and Brian Woltemath formed their family in Yuma, Colorado. One of Tim’s biggest delights was spending time with his grandchildren, Camron and Bristen and helped them develop an appreciation for antiques, history, family traditions, auctions, and starting collections of their own. Although Tim preferred staying close to his roots, he and Cindy did travel to see relatives in neighboring states, take some fun trips to Las Vegas and spent a week in Paris, France making it to the top of the Eiffel tower, enjoying the centuries old architecture and cruising the Seine.
Tim was a dedicated family member. He came home to farm and raise cattle with his father following the death of his older brother D.V. In his parents’ later years, he and his wife Cindy took care of them so that they could stay on the farm they loved. In 2011, it was Tim’s idea that Cindy’s mother, Dorothy move from Nebraska to live with them so that they could care for her until she passed in 2017.
From his parents, Tim inherited a civic mindedness and desire to make his community a better place. Tim had one of those voices that you longed to hear at public events. For years, he announced the Yuma Country Fair Parade, the local fireworks, horseraces, and officiated at memorial services. He warmed the hearts of many young (and old), playing Santa Clause during the holiday seasons.
Tim loved being an auctioneer. He graduated from the Auctioneer school in Mason City, Iowa and he and Cindy launched the American Auction Company serving the Yuma and Eastern Colorado area. He not only auctioned for farm, machinery, antique and household good’s sales, and Real Estate, but often volunteered his auctioneer services and crew to benefit local families hit by illness, loss or disaster and many fundraisers for organizations such as many of the surrounding FFA chapters, Yuma District Hospital, the Yuma Police Department, the Yuma Museum, and Yuma Veterans organizations. Throughout the years he also helped organize bus trips to Black Hawk and Cripple Creek, as well as horserace, golf, and basketball Calcutta’s. For many years Christmas caroling was a tradition with draft horses and hay racks, and announcing horseshoe tournaments were favorites of his. Tim served the surrounding communities as well, announcing The Old Settlers parade, children’s games, and fundraisers for the Eckley Volunteer Fire Department during their show. A long-time blood donor we lost track of the gallon pins he earned.
For nearly 35 years Tim and Cindy helped organized the annual St. Patrick’s Day Benefit Auction raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit local associations and school organizations. In 2007 Tim and Cindy received the Citizens of the Year Award for being “two of the most generous people in the Yuma community – having given countless hours of their time and finances to contribute to the good of the community and asking nothing in return.” Upon receiving the award, Tim dedicated it to his parents, John and Nina Stulp.
Tim’s fondness for preserving farming heritage and tradition was exemplified by his four decades of passion, commitment, and leadership with the Yuma Old Threshers Group, serving several terms as President, years as show chairperson as well as on the board. Tim felt that Old Threshers was a way to not only honor and preserve historical farming practices, but it also brought people and commerce to the community. He was heartened to see Old Threshers evolve from a neighborly demonstration to an impressive annual three-day event bringing thousands of people from across the country to the show. Much of Tim’s pleasure in contributing to the Yuma community were the friends and colleagues he worked with along the way. Tim was an American antique expert and avid collector, generously sharing his well-cared for collections at Old Threshers and many visitors to his home.
Tim was also active in the community serving on the Soil Conservation board, the local Co-op board and was an active member in the Missouri Valley Wrench Club organization.
We’ll miss Tim’s generosity, commitment to the Yuma community, ideas, energy, and fun spirit.
Tim was preceded in death by his brother, D.V., his parents John and Nina Stulp, his mother and father-in-law, Lester and Dorothy Baum, and his grandparents. He is survived by his beloved wife, Cindy, his son Brian Woltemath and wife Azucena, his grandchildren Camron and Bristen, his siblings Patty Stulp, Clydette de Groot (Charles), John Stulp Jr. (Jane), sisters-in-law Kathy McKnight and Deb Baum, aunts Leta Smith and Linda Vasenius, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Also mourning his passing are an army of friends and the extended community.
2023-06-22