Paul A. Kanta, age 83, of Forsyth, died on July 16, 2015 at the VA Care Center in Miles City. He was born on January 12th, 1932 to Frank and Susan Kanta in Hutchinson, Minnesota. Paul was always disappointed that he was the only sibling that was not born in Montana. He grew up on the family homestead with his five brothers and four sisters near the town of Sumatra. He attended school in Sumatra where he played on the varsity basketball team for five years, one year as an eighth grader. Upon graduating in 1950, Paul enlisted in the Navy and served during the Korean War aboard the destroyer USS Wedderburn. He made three tours of duty in the Far East and was honorably discharged from the United States Navy on August 11th, 1954, which he stated was the “second happiest day of my life.”
The “happiest day of his life” Paul would often tell people was when he was stationed in San Diego and went to a dance where he met a girl with the most beautiful big brown eyes. He was united in marriage with the brown eyed girl, Margaret E. Doss on February 12th, 1955, at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in El Cajon, CA. He then took Margaret away to live in what Margaret’s mother called the “wilds of Montana.” They were able to celebrate over fifty-six very happy years together.
Paul and Margaret lived in six different places before settling in Forsyth in 1966. They raised one son and five daughters in a big old house that Margaret purchased without Paul ever viewing the property. Moving to Forsyth, Paul would say, was the “best decision that Margaret every made.” Paul worked at various jobs around Forsyth, including a job at Hallett Minerals in Vananda while pursuing his lifelong dream of farming. He would farm during the evenings and weekends and use his two weeks’ vacation during harvest. After Hallett Minerals closed in the late 1970’s, Paul farmed in the Forsyth area full time. Paul would say that he could “raise wheat where grass doesn’t grow, operate and fix all kinds of equipment, rope, ride, tie and work cattle but could not put an edge on a knife or make a kite that would fly.”
Paul loved his family and friends, and they all loved him back. He was the steady force in the family that all his children and grandchildren could count on for love and advice. He loved to tell stories about his children’s younger years, good times with Henry Berg and other friends and his time growing up on the family homestead near Sumatra.
Paul is survived by his children Mary Catherine(Skip) Meek of Big Timber, Maggie(Glen) Pate of Salem, OR, Teresa(Lance) Patterson of Henderson, NV, Christine(Art) Godinez of Mentone, CA and Susan(Howard) Quinlan of Forsyth, MT; and his twelve grandchildren Joelle(Gary) Clayton, Kim(Ben) McDonald-Brandner, Nathan Meek, Tierney(Allyn) Parker, Alan Godinez, Katie Quinlan, PO3 Colin Patterson USCG, Emily(Isaac) Eisenbarth, SrA Jacob Quinlan USAF, Anna Meek, Jesse Pate and Brooke Godinez; nine great-grandchildren; his brothers Gesa Kanta of Forsyth, Joe(Sandy) Kanta of Melstone; his sisters Mary Perkins of Maryland Heights, MO, Ann Kanta of Billings, MT and Terry Wilson of Melstone. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Margaret, son Paul D. Kanta, his parents, brothers Frank Kanta, John Kanta and Rudolph Kanta and a sister Ethel Kanta.
Viewing will begin at 12 pm on Friday July 24th. Paul’s family will receive friends from 4 to 6 with a Rosary and Memorial Service at 6:00 pm in the Chapel at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth. Family and friends will be sharing memories of Paul’s life. Refreshments will follow. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday July 25th at 10:00 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Forsyth with a luncheon to follow. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Memorials may be made to Margaret’s American Hero Quilt Fund through the PieceMakers Quilt Guild of Forsyth or the Forsyth Senior Center.
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday July 24, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday July 24, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Friday July 24, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 AM
Saturday July 25, 2015
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
509 12th Ave North
Forsyth , MT 59327
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
11:00 AM
Saturday July 25, 2015
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, MT 59327
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday July 24, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday July 24, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Friday July 24, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 AM
Saturday July 25, 2015
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
509 12th Ave North
Forsyth , MT 59327
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
11:00 AM
Saturday July 25, 2015
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, MT 59327
Lynn Waller says
He was an awesome person and a good friend. I will miss him very much.
Peggy Redman & Earl Mortensen says
To Paul’s wonderful family,
Earl joins me in sending heartfelt condolences to you in the loss of your beloved Dad and Grandfather. May you find comfort and strength in knowing others care. We are thinking of, and praying for you at this difficult time. May warm memories help soften your sorrow, and may faith help you face each tomorrow. Paul will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and the entire Forsyth community. We all share in your sorrow.
Robert & Joan says
Susan & Family,
May the peace of knowing that your Dad is in Heaven enjoying being back together with your Mom and no longer in pain help to ease the sorrow of your loss. He was loved and respected by many.
Lori and Ken Reierson says
Sorry for your loss it is always hard to loose a parent. Just remember he is in heaven with your Mother and Paul.
Sharon Wetsch says
Sorry for your loss. We will miss him and the stories Roy, Mary Mae and your Dad would tell..
He was a wonderful person. Hugs and prayers.
Cathy Byron says
Another loss in our 12th Avenue North neighborhood. I guess we just took it for granted that Paul and Margret would be in their house across the street forever. He missed her sorely, and now they are together again. But knowing that doesn’t fill the void we feel when we say goodbye to that last parent. My heart and prayers are with each of you. What an exemplary gentleman and deep thinker he was. A good visit with Paul would always bring a big smile or chuckle. A traditional and favorite Paul Kanta story at our house is the retelling of the Christmas Eve that we pulled up beside our house only to find Santa Clause pacing up and down the sidewalk looking for his reindeer. Three little Byrons – 6, 3 and 2 – scrambled around trying to find at least one track in the snow. A precious often repeated story at our house. Your Dad leaves a tall legacy… I hope you’ve written some of it down. Hugs to all. Let me know if I can help with anything …
S Ford says
I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to you. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are never alone. Turn to the Holy Scriptures for guidance and to help soothe your heart. Psalms 34:18 assures us that God is near to those broken at heart and crushed in spirit. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Bill and Joby Parker says
Dear family,
Paul is going to be missed so. He was such a fun person with best sense of humor. You know Bill and I thought the world of both Paul and Margaret. May they both rest in peace.
Blessings, prayers and love to everyone.
Bill and Joby
MaryBeth Black says
This is such sad news. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of Paul’s family. He was a great man and will be missed by many.
Steve and Kim Stumpff says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you on your loss. I have great memories of coaching the Kanta girls and how your mom and dad were always there for you. I remember painting your house on 12th Ave. Your mom and dad didn’t think they paid me enough so they gave us a quarter of a butchered pig from the farm. How we treasured that kindness.
Judy Taylor says
Paul was so wonderful to talk to and to laugh with, and the kindest man that I ever met, on Valentine’s Day he would bring all four of us, a box of candy. Such a sweet gesture, My heart fell when I learned of his passing, but he is with Margaret now whom he loved very much, My love & prayers are for his family now & I will always remember him with a fondness and always feel blessed by knowing him.
Cathy and Curt Fleming says
Paul will be missed by all but especially you, his family. I was saddened to hear of his parting but not that he will be missing the pain. I will not be able to attend the services but will be thinking of you in your time of sorrow.
Bill Zard says
I knew Paul for only a short time, but glad got to know him. My condolence to the family.
Karie Weamer says
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember your dad as always being happy and friendly. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lori Kerr Hughes says
So very sad to hear of your father and Grandfather’s death. He was such a dear, kind man and best friend to our Harold McCaskie. I loved having breakfast with Paul and Harold and hearing their stories and light-hearted banter. May your many wonderful memories comfort you.
Bob & Marlys Lee says
I am not the best at putting my emotions into words, but you know that I have been in your position. Even when you know it’s coming, it still hits you hard! Paul was awesome and always made me feel welcome. He will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
Dana McCausland-Pace says
Paul was such a wonderful, good person who was very proud of his family. Both he and Margaret were so good to me, and for that I will be forever grateful.
Paula Nayes says
Paul was such a great man. I felt privileged to know both he and Margaret (my parents names). I only knew Teresa and Susan but I know you were all the apple of his eye! I am thinking of you girls and God bless You!
Kolleen & Butch Forsyth says
Dear Kanta family. Thinking of all of you during this difficult time and sending sincere sympathies from us in Iowa. Fond memories of our time together in Forsyth and in the Flathead. Hope to reconnect soon. Hugs to you.
Deb Hoffman says
Our thoughts and prayers for all of you. We will miss Uncle Paul greatly – but are comforted that he is reunited with Aunt Margaret and Paul. Love, Randy and Deb