Gesa A. Kanta was born on June 30, 1923 at the family ranch near Sumatra, Montana. He was the second of ten children born to Frank and Susan Kanta. Gesa graduated from Sumatra High School in 1940 where he played basketball and competed in track. After high school, he worked on the Milwaukee Railroad, built drilling derricks and worked as a welder in the shipyards in Bremerton, WA.
In 1942, he entered the US Military and served during WWII. After being discharged from the military in 1946, Gesa returned home to help his father on the family ranch in Sumatra where he also owned and operated trucks for hauling cattle and heavy equipment. From 1947 to 1974, Gesa worked on drilling rigs while working on the side as a rancher, truck driver and heavy equipment operator.
In 1961, he married Marilyn Beeman in Forsyth and together they had five children. The family lived in Melstone until 1974 when they moved to Forsyth. From 1974 to 1994 Gesa worked road construction throughout MT, ND and WY.
Gesa retired at age 71 but remained active until shortly before his death. From carpentry work, farm work, recycling, helping friends, neighbors and family, he was always doing something! Even at age 93, Gesa was still climbing trees and trimming branches. No matter what needed to be done, Gesa always found a way to get it done independently! Many people in Forsyth and the surrounding area owned a shed Gesa built from mostly recycled materials. Gesa’s days began at the Town Pump where he enjoyed stories and jokes with his fellow coffee crew. Gesa was a great grandpa who loved spending time with his grandchildren teaching them his values and principles. He stayed interested in oilfield related work, politics, as well as the Denver Broncos right up until the end. When the oilfield boom hit ND, he wished he was a young man again so he could participate and enjoyed talking about oil field work with his sons Monte and Mitch. At age 90, Gesa visited and toured many drilling rigs throughout ND and MT where his son Monte was working. At age 92 he attended the Trump rally in Billings and throughout the years he attended many Denver Bronco games with his daughters and granddaughters.
Gesa was a faithful member of the Immaculate Conception Church and attended Mass daily. He was a hard worker, loving son, brother, dad, uncle, grandpa and friend who will be missed dearly.
Gesa Kanta was preceded in death by his daughter, Janet; parents, Frank and Susan; brothers, Frank, Rudy, John, Paul; sister, Ethel; grandson, Blake; mother of his children, Marilyn; and son in law, Willie. He is survived by his children, Monte Kanta of Cody, WY, Joan Kanta -Duffield of Forsyth, Mitch Kanta of Forsyth, Jill Kanta-Haidle of Laurel; brother, Joe Kanta (Sandy) of Melstone; sisters, Mary Perkins, St. Louis, MO, Ann Kanta of Billings, Terry Wilson of Billings; grandchildren, Bailey Stahl, Kenzie Stahl and Cody Kanta, numerous nieces and nephews, and special friends Diane Wyrick and Rudy Crawford.
A Rosary Service will be held at 7:00 P.M. Friday, June 15, 2018 at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Forsyth. Burial will follow in the Forsyth Cemetery. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home have been entrusted with the arrangements. To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday June 15, 2018
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Rosary Service
6:00 p.m.
Friday June 15, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m
Saturday June 16, 2018
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Rite of Committal
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday June 16, 2018
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth , MT
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday June 15, 2018
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Rosary Service
6:00 p.m.
Friday June 15, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m
Saturday June 16, 2018
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Rite of Committal
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday June 16, 2018
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth , MT
Share
TJ Cape says
Dear Joan, Sending heartfelt condolences your way. I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Hugs. TJ
Arlen & Barbie Kirkaldie says
All our love and prayers .?
Bobbie May says
Sending love and prayers to all of you. So sorry for your loss.
Joan Hansen says
,Hello to all of you Kanta kids,
So sorry to hear about your dad . I know he had a rough time of it, and so did you all. Remember the good times and be grateful to have had so many years with him. Guess that’s what makes losing somebody we love a little easier. Anyway that’s what they always told me . Stay close and keep in touch with each other. Family is everything. Love to all of you from an old friend. Joan Hansen
Tracy McCausland says
Sending love to you all. What a great long life your Dad lived. So many memories for you to treasure always.
Macque Bohleen says
I am so sorry for you loss, as you well know a person never gets over loosing a parent, we just learn to live with it! My heart breaks for all you! Macque Cozzens Bohleen
Joby Parker says
Dear Joan & family,
Deepest sympathy to all of you. Gesa was one of a kind and will be greatly missed. Blessings and hugs.
Bill and Joby Parker
Charlie and Terri Brown says
Joan and family, we are saddened to hear about your Dad. He can now rest in peace and be reacquainted with those who have gone before him and most importantly dwell in our Lord’s House forever. Hugs and prayers dear friend. Love to you all.
Debbie Bell says
We are so sorry for your loss. May all the sweet memories comfort you during this time of sorrow. Our prayers are with you and all of your family. Gene and Debbie Bell
Debi Rapstad says
Thinking of you all, with love and prayers. Take care
Rita FitzGerald says
To all of Gaza’s family–The attributes of this unique man are so apparent in each of you. I see his spence of humor and his frank honesty in all of you! Thanks for sharing him with all of us!
Rebecca Heberle says
Sending prayers to the family
Rebecca Heberle says
Sending prayers to the family
Joan Leinwand says
Sending my condolences.
Maggie Pate says
Joan, Jill, Monte and Mitch, you lost your Dad, I lost an uncle and what a fabulous uncle he was. To me he was the quiet uncle. A bit like Grandpa in that way. But his quiet ways also held a gentle and sweet nature. At least he was always that way to me. I’ll miss his ready hug and smile. Joan, thanks so much for taking me to visit him the last time I was home. Will treasure those moments. I won’t make it out for the service but know that I send lots of love and prayers for all of you. Just me – Maggie
Carroll and Lanell Kaup says
The Kanta family, our sincere condolences and prayers to all of you. May the wonderful memories help to comfort you and remembering the wonderful times you had together.
sharon cope says
My thoughts and prayers to all of you. Sharon
Polly Collins says
Jill,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your dad was an amazing human being. I wish i’d known him.
Hugs,
Polly
Shirley Skinner says
Joan and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. We are so sorry for the loss of your Dad.
Vickie Schields says
Joan, Kenzie, and Bailey,
We are so sorry to hear about your dad. We remember fondly the trip to Denver to watch the Broncos play over Thanksgiving. He was the life of the party and always very pleasant. We are not able to attend the funeral, but hope to see you soon.
Take care,
Mark and Vickie
IUOE Local 400 Board, Members and Staff says
May it comfort you to know how many caring thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Jack and Kris Crocker says
Prayers for the Kanta family. Sorry to hear about Gesa.
Travis & Kara Millhollin says
Monte, Joan, Mitch, and Jill – I am so sorry to hear of your dad‘s passing. He was a great guy, and I have always appreciated the time he took and his generosity in letting me come with Mitch to his workplaces up west so we could go fishing for a week when we were kids. Such great times and great memories thanks to him. Take care during this difficult time.