Joseph Jerome Kanta, 87, passed away in his sleep on September 27th in the home he had built. With his wife of 59 years by his side, Joe slipped away in the early morning hours of the day. Joe was born September 18, 1936 at the family homestead south east of Sumatra, Montana to parents Frank Kanta and Zusia “Susan” Rusnak.
Joe attended school in Sumatra and enjoyed playing basketball with his friends. One year, his high school team was only one win away from going to state, but were defeated by the Belfry Bats who eventually became state champions. Joe remembered this for many years, especially around tournament time. He graduated from high school in 1954.
Joe faced many challenges in life, but one of the biggest was surviving an oilfield drilling rig accident in 1955, which almost took his life. He did lose his left leg above the knee and the mobility of his right hand. He spent 6 months in a body cast and Joe said, “If I ever get out of this cast I am going to work like hell.” Joe did receive a lump sum from that accident, which he used toward his hospital bill, but it didn’t cover the entire amount owed. He would continue to pay on that bill until it was paid in full. Joe wanted to work, so he never filed for disability payments throughout his entire life. He was proud to be able to work.
Joe started working for Ralph Guthridge and Ben Yablonski doing farm and ranch work. He then started working at the Hilltop Standard Gas Station in Ingomar, Montana. Joe also began working for the postal service as a contract rural mail carrier, which he would end up doing for 50 years! He worked for Art’s Tire Shop in Forsyth, Montana. Later on, he worked for Duke Hagodone and Harold Iversen Farms in Poplar, Montana. Joe decided to start driving water trucks for Soape Drilling owner Don Soape. Joe financed the purchase of those trucks through the Miners and Merchants Bank in Roundup, Montana and that was the beginning of the Kanta Trucking Company in 1963.
Joe met Charlotte “Sandy” Hedges in 1959 when he asked her if she would wash his car. She did and he asked her to go to the show in Forsyth. They went to the movie theater and saw “The Greatest Show on Earth”. They began dating and would later marry on November 30, 1963. Joe and Sandy had 2 boys (Jay and Matt), and 1 girl (Michelle).
Joe would haul water to many rigs for the following drilling companies: Soape, Molen, Great Northern, Fitzpatrick, Simmons, Cyclone, and Faith. He would sometimes haul to three different rigs that were drilling at the same time. He would haul drinking water to residents and the schools in Ingomar and Sumatra. Several times he would haul water from Lewistown to Melstone for the Kincheloe and Hendrix homes. He also had a contract to haul water from Forsyth to the Air Force Radar Base in Vananda. Joe was called upon many times to haul water to people’s livestock when their wells were dry or during a drought season. When fires would occur, Joe would help by hauling water in his trucks to those areas.
Joe’s farming ventures began in 1971. He started farming on the family farm near Sumatra. He would eventually farm on a sharecrop basis. He did this with the families of the Stensvad, Adams, and Hein. With his brother Paul, they would farm and harvest on the Shoup place and Severson land. Joe enjoyed farming with his brother Paul very much. They made lots of memories and shared many laughs of people, crops, and equipment breakdowns. They would work all day, but have time for a mixed drink or two of CC7.
Joe would give rides to hitchhikers on Highway 12. He would make sure they received a hot meal at the Jersey Lily and some cash to help them along their way. We think he got the gift of helping people down on their luck from his parents. His mother was known to feed the hobos that jumped off the train going by their farm and she would insist on washing the dishes in their knapsack.
Joe liked driving lots of different vehicles and equipment. He was a great driver and could drive in all kinds of weather and road conditions. He even enjoyed driving the snowmobile we had! It was traumatic for him when macular degeneration took his sight and he was unable to drive and do so many of the things he loved.
Joe was kind, caring, gentle, creative, strong, tough, smart, talented, funny, he liked to laugh, honest, and a generous person inside and out. Joe always pulled for the underdog. He enjoyed boating on the Grebe Reservoir, taking his grandson fishing, helping out with the FFA Mechanics Contest at the Melstone High School, watching Notre Dame football, socializing with friends; especially his friends from the oilfield and farming community, reading different types of books, playing cards (Pitch and Cribbage), and telling stories of old times (especially of Elef Nygard, Charlie Gligger, Bernard Yablonski). Joe would also not shy away from arguing politics with anybody, anytime. Joe had so many wonderful friends and there are too numerous to mention here, but he would want the following acknowledged for their years of loyal friendship: Bill Kent, Bud Hjelvik, Russell Kesterson, Willie Murnion, Paul Plohar, Richard Prisbe, Eli Kluk, Paul Shoup, Owen Badgett, Creel Poole, Tim Corcoran, Wayne Braesamle, Kip Jas, Lyle Moore, Alex Sample, Clyde and Lavonne Brewer, Chris Lang, Gary Snortland, John Langford, Johnny Dinsmoore, Doug Hollowell,Sandy Russell, Kevin Eike, and Joe Lar. He had the greatest work ethic of anyone we know. He was very innovative in building, making, and figuring out how to achieve the end product. He was a perfectionist, organized, and things had to be “just so”. No matter if it was how you were tamping a fence post or welding a gate, he would check it every time to make sure it was done right. Any obstacle in his way, he could figure out a way around it or over it. He seemed to always accomplish what he wanted or needed to do. If you didn’t have something to do, Joe would find you something to do or volunteer you to help the neighbors for free.
His musical talent was something special. He loved to share it with his family and friends. He liked playing music on his guitar at the Jersey Lily, Antlers Bar, Sportsman Bar, and Howdy Bar. He really liked when other people who enjoyed singing and playing would join him.
He taught his kids so many things and led by example. Sandy and the kids love him and will miss him greatly always. His final words that morning to Sandy were, “Get my jacket. I have to go to work.” Sandy told him that he was retired, he didn’t have to work, but he needed to rest. Then Joe said, “No, get my jacket. I gotta go, I gotta go.”
Goodbye Joe, we miss you, we love you, and we thank you. Your calls to God to come save you have been answered.
Joe Kanta was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Susan; sister, Ethel; brothers, Frank Jr., Rudy, John, Paul, Gesa.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Charlotte “Sandy” Kanta of Melstone; and children Joseph “Jay” Kanta Jr. (Connie) of Billings; Matthew Kanta of Billings; and Michelle Kanta of Billings; sisters, Mary Perkins of St. Louis, MO; Ann Kanta of Billings; Terry Wilson of Billings; grandchildren, Brandon Kanta, Brenna Kanta, and Brianna (Brett) Robertus. To all his surviving nieces and nephews, “He loved being your Uncle Joe.”
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday October 6, 2023
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Rosary Service
6:00 PM
Friday October 6, 2023
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Graveside Service
11:00 AM
Saturday October 7, 2023
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Luncheon
Following Graveside Services
Saturday October 7, 2023
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, MT,
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday October 6, 2023
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Rosary Service
6:00 PM
Friday October 6, 2023
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Graveside Service
11:00 AM
Saturday October 7, 2023
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Luncheon
Following Graveside Services
Saturday October 7, 2023
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, MT,
Share
Penny Hedges says
I am sad that Uncle Joe has passed. His health issues made recent years difficult. Christ died so we could be saved and pass on to a reward in heaven where there are no health issues. My prayers go out to you, Aunt Sandy, Jay, Matt and Michelle and extended family.
Nita Smith says
Michelle and family… It is difficult to lose a loved one. Prayers to all of you. If there is anything we can do for you please let us know. Prayers for you Michelle and family during this time of grief. Love to you Michelle.
Mary vetch ( Lentz) says
Sandy I’m so sorry for you loss. May god be with you
LaDona Yerian says
Michelle, Sandy and Family – My thoughts and prayers are with you. Cherish all of your memories.
Randy Lancaster says
Jay and family sorry to hear about your loss
Bill/Madonna Ryan says
I have many memories of Joe he loved working on anything and everything his disability never stopped him from climbing on a silo or up into a big truck or piece of equipment I’m glad I visited him the last time I was in Montana we will miss him
Joe and Rachel Hofer says
To the Family of Joe Kanta,
We sure enjoyed Joe stopping at our home at Sumatra all those years ago. We enjoyed having coffee . One thing I can say for Joe, he would come in with all the other men. He would go last and cleaned the sink out for me. I really appreciated that. A true gentleman. He was a good neighbor and a good joker. Joe and my husband Joe love to banter back and forth. They loved to talk farming and politics 😃 we will miss you Joe .
Sherry K Brown says
Awwwe such sad news to see another good guy gone. I loved hearing him sing,”Waltz Across Texas With Me” in the Lily so many times. Best wishes to all.
Barb and Clen Kent says
Clen and Barb Kent appreciated the great service delivering water for many years to our home in Ingomar. They also remember attending their wedding on November 30th in Forsyth at the Catholic Church. Barb remembers the beautiful Kelly Green dresses that Gayle and Kelley wore! Sending prayers and condolences to the family. He was a good guy!
Rich and Silvia Metzger says
Sandy and Family: Rick and I will miss Joe very much. He always made us laugh. And what a guitar player he was. He was a good friend. RIP in Joe.
Marlene Newman Rule says
Lots of good memories of Joe and family.
Patti Kanta Herrera says
Uncle Joe will be really missed. It has been a long time since I’ve seen him, but I remember the summers when I was young and our family would go visit my dad Frank’s family in Montana. Joe always made me laugh. Sending my condolences to his family.
Leona Whetham says
I know that my folks, Chris and Jean Lang, enjoyed their time with Joe and you Sandy. Our Prayers are with you Leona Lang Whetham
Margie Smith says
Lived at Sumatra a few years and never saw Joe too much, but always enjoyed when did. I have/had Hedges relatives…. Good man, good memories. At that time, I was Margie Messer, on CM Coffee ranch.
J R Grebe says
I have always looked up to Joe. He never let things stop him and carried on no matter what. Always had a smile on his face even if he hurt. Will miss that smile, his music and a wonderful guy.
Ellen Kanta says
Uncle Jo is always in my most fond memories of childhood past. How rich those memories are…goes to show how little money has to do with true wealth! We would travel to Grandma and Grandpa Kanta’s homestead most every summer. Sharing time with cousins who were fast friends. Cohorts in discovery, mischief making, and an all around teasing and tormenting of our uncle Jo. Perhaps it was because he was the last to leave home, or was it because he took it all so well, maybe because he loved it ( so we imagined ) as much as we did! We would dare each other to try and touch his spare wooden leg hidden in the closet …terrifying! We would lock him in the shower of the bunk house….hilarious! Read his love letters from Sandy….educating! And beg him endlessly ….I mean relentlessly…to play his honky-tonk guitar and croon for us. So impressed we were at our young ages that he could hold a beer can in his “bad” hand completely hidden from view. Jo was our hero, a favored uncle, a tolerant and kind man. Uncle Jo….Eyes so loving. Heart so big. Talents abound. You have touched us all in ways we will be forever grateful! Peace is with you…Thank God♥️
Maureen Stevens says
My favorite uncle.Memories of being very young and him calling me out of house and spraying me with hose.getting changed and him soraying me again! Memories of his singing playing guitar.Memories of him taking us kids up in hills around grandparents farm convincing us Indians were up there.so many wonderful fun memories.