Kenneth W. Lentz, Ken/Kenny, was born on January 13, 1951 to Willis and Mollie Lentz, 3rd of four children. He was born in Forsyth, Montana. He passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025 with is family by his side.
Ken grew up in Cartersville on a farm and later moved to many places including Ingomar, Sumatra and Vanada before finally moving to Miles City. He graduated from Custer County High School in 1969. On September 16, 1978, he married Leona Gray at Trinity Lutheran Church. To this marriage, they had one daughter, Kathy.
Ken loved to hunt and fish. He also loved Dermo Derby and would love to work on the cars. Latre in life, he found his true hobby, collecting barb wire and tools. Ken had quite the collection, over 200+ pieces and was always searching for more. Every summer, he would take his family to barbwire conventions all over. In 2006, Ken was inducted into the Barb Wire Hall of Fame.
Ken wore a coat of many colors. He worked at Pine Hills School for boys as a security guard, was a milk delivery man, owned his own cleaning business, was a cab driver for Miles City Cab and when he retired, he was a night auditor for Best Western War Bonnet Inn. After his retirement, Ken kept himself busy at home with his gardening and flowers. He loved to keep his yard looking beautiful. He loved spending time with his grandkids and taking them fishing. His grandchildren were the light of his eye.
In November 2021, Ken had some medical issues happen which led to his move to Billings to be closer to all his doctors. He lived in Bella Terra Nursing home and Rehab before moving to River Ridge Nursing and Rehab. Ken continued his loved for gardening and flowers while living there. He was called the resident gardener and could always be found outside. He always found a use for everything. There wasn’t a screw, bolt, nut or desk drawer that Ken couldn’t repurpose. Over the winter of 2024, Ken built many birdhouses out of those desk drawers and did all of the cutting, sanding, hammering and painting by himself. His desire to create beauty inspired many around him. There was nothing or no one going to tell him he couldn’t do something. He was stubborn, strong-willed and determined to do whatever he wanted and how he wanted. He gained a very large extended family in the almost 4 years of living in Billings.
He is survived by his wife of almost 47 years Leona Lentz, his daughter, Kathy (Chris) Bentley, two sisters Leona Bauch (Mark) of Miles City and Mary Vetch of West Virginia and one brother William Lentz (Maxine) of Florida. He also is survived by a step-daughter Sherry Adams of Illinois; three grandchildren: Kadence, Quentin and Jaxin and a step-granddaughter Brittany. He was preceded in death by his father Willis and mother Mollie.
Special thanks to River Ridge Nursing Home and Stillwater Hospice for caring for Ken in is final moments.
Visitation will be held on Thursday July 10, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Son’s Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Forsyth Cemetery in Forsyth, Montana. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Thursday July 10, 2025
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday July 10, 2025
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Interment
Following Funeral Service
Thursday July 10, 2025
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, MT 59327
Service Schedule
Visitation
8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Thursday July 10, 2025
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday July 10, 2025
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Interment
Following Funeral Service
Thursday July 10, 2025
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, MT 59327
Share
Sandy Anderson says
I’m so sorry to hear about Kenny passing away.
Walter & Carol Nelson says
Our condolences 🙏
Garth Sleight says
I’m so sorry to hear about Ken’s passing. He was one of the two students over the past 39 years who have done speeches on barbed wire fences. He was quite the expert on this subject. I have a board in my office with several samples of barbed wire from my other student. Ken identified all of the designs, which I appreciated. My condolences to Ken’s family and friends.
MARTHA Crandall says
My sympathy
Donna Orthman says
I am sorry to hear of Ken’s passing.
Becky Gergen says
Sorry about Ken passing.
Beverly Nile says
Sending my deepest condolences to the family. I knew Kenny through my mother -in-law Ruth Lentz Boschee and I was married to her son Ronnie. Ruth and Willis Lentz were siblings.
Rene Laya says
I’m sending my condolences to Ken’s family. I have a lot of good memories of being around Ken and hunting with him on John Todoroff’s land south of town. Ken was a good friend and always willing to help out when needed. Even though I haven’t seen Ken in many years I still have the memories! RIP my friend.
Wanda Linnell Richlen says
Mary and family
I’m so sorry to hear about Kenny’s passsing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dena says
Ken was always a pleasure up and down the halls on the scout looking for anything he could use to garden with.
Then, he became a friend.
R. I. P. My friend. Ill see you on the other side.
Priscilla Jackson says
Prays for the Family. May GOD comfort you in your time of sorrow. GOD Blessings and Love. Matthew & Priscilla
Karen Taylor says
Leona,Kathy and family, we are so sorry for your loss. May God give you comfort as you continue on, thinking of you Dwayne and Karen Taylor
Terry Virag says
Ken and I were great friends…and so sorry to hear of his passing..in our earlier years Kenny and I had a lot of similar interests. And my wife was good friends of Leona. We spent many meals together. Prayers for the rest of his family and RIP.
Terry
Joe and Cindy Bentley says
Again I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing Kathy, our sincere condolences to all of you.
Michelle Simpson says
Leona Mary and all of Kenny’s family my sincere condolences. I always enjoyed visiting with Ken when he had been fishing and he would come over to see Mary when she lived near us. I hold you close and thought in prayer as you navigate the days the weeks and the years ahead May he rest in peace.
Carolyn E Hays says
To Kenny’s family, all my sympathy… Ken was such a sweet soul. Loved his folks, ran around with his older brother Bill. Always enjoyed visiting with Ken when I bumped into him. Rest in Peace Ken. You deserve it.
Cooky Emerson Hays
Josephine Meidinger says
So sorry to hear about Kenny. 🫂 Hugs and prayers for all of Kenny’s family.