Krultz selected as 44th Greenwood Citizen of the Year

By Cheyenne Thomas The Greenwood Chamber of Commerce named Ralph Krultz as its 44th Citizen of the Year during its annual banquet held March 24 at the American Legion Wallis-Hinker-Brux Post 238 in Greenwood. Krultz was selected for the honor for giving back his time, talents and energy to the Greenwood community.

A native of Greenwood, Krultz has been a part of many events that take place around Greenwood, helping out in any way he can. In the speech he gave listing Krultz’s accomplishments, Trevor Wuethrich said Krultz is a man that can always be counted on to help with something, no matter how small.

“If a neighbor is building a house or shed, shingling a roof, splitting wood, needs a trench dug, is moving, needs a ride, is bailing hay or needs anything else, he is there,” said Wuethrich. “But be warned, if you say we need help starting at 8 a.m., he will probably be there by 7… 7:30 if he is ‘running late.’” Over the years, Krultz has helped out at many of the Greenwood Dairy Breakfasts, being there bright and early to help make food for the first batch of guests. He also helps serve food at other local events, such as the Veterans Day Breakfast in the fall and the Greenwood EMS spaghetti feed and pork dinner fundraisers.

“On the day of the dairy breakfast, he is seen by the griddle making pancakes for the very first shift,” said Wuethrich. “In 2023, he spent countless hours in the weeks leading up to the event preparing the yard, cleaning sheds, organizing items, setting up tables and chairs and answering questions from the Chamber and FFA Alumni… for the EMS spaghetti feed and pork dinner fundraisers he spends many hours getting the fire hall ready, serving the meal and is one of the few people there the next day for cleanup.”

Besides helping behind the scenes at those events, Krultz can often be seen

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working at other events in important roles. During the Do Good Dash and the Greenwood Color Run, he helps to direct traffic away from the running routes. He also directs traffic at accident scenes as a member of the Greenwood Fire Department, which he has been a part of for more than 15 years.

“Many times he is the first on the scene and assists with directing traffic,” said Wuethrich. “After a call, he ensures the trucks are filled with gas, cleaned up and ready for the next call.”

In his spare time, Krultz continues to help out when he is needed, often creating the set pieces used by the Greenwood Drama Club in their productions.

“When Jo Elmer needs something built for high school drama, she knows that all she needs to do is share her idea with him and often by the next day, it is sketched out or even built,” said Wuethrich.

The Greenwood Chamber of Commerce also recognized Sunrise Design LLC as its featured business of the year. Owned and operated by Dawna Feldman, Sunrise Design LLC is a residential interior design firm that has been in business for the past seven years, helping homeowners create designs for home improvement projects.

The Greenwood Chamber of Commerce also recognized Ed Krultz for hosting the Greenwood Dairy Breakfast in 2023. There were also presentations made by the Greenwood FFA, Greenwood FCCLAand by Miss Greenwood Paige Beyerl on their activities in the past year.

CHEYENNE THOMAS/STAFF PHOTOS