Lloyd C. Kanning

 Lloyd Cecil Kanning peacefully left us on the morning of May 12th, 2026, surrounded by his family at Peace Hospice House in Great Falls.

Lloyd was born on October 5, 1935 to Fred and Rose Kanning, a young farming couple in Plentywood, MT. When he was 9, the family moved to a homestead in North Toole County. They struggled through the years of World War 2, but Lloyd’s only admission of hardship was no candy bars at the country store!

His siblings grew to 5 brothers and 4 sisters (Lloyd was second oldest) and the family functioned as a sort of farm collective. Fred and Rose provided a hard-working but fun-loving and musical household where Lloyd played guitar and fiddle and spent long winters playing music with his siblings. In addition to helping build the family home, Lloyd participated in the construction of the Devon Lutheran Church where his mother, Rose, was the first organist.

Sadly, Rose Kanning passed away in 1959 at the young age of 48. Fred remarried and later died in 1974 at the age of 72.

When he turned 23, Lloyd enlisted in the Army Reserves and eventually transferred to Fort Story in Virginia. While there, he landed the prized position of Steward for an officer, affording him access to the officer's car, which he gladly took on trips to Virginia Beach to golf and girl-watch. After more than 5 years in the service, he was honorably discharged in 1963.

He returned home from the army and met Barbara Jean Jystad, his brother’s sister-in-law from Kalispell. The two soon began a whirlwind courtship and were married in September 1963, in Idaho by a justice of the peace. The proposal was “Hey, we should get married.” The wedding feast was meatloaf and mashed potatoes at a diner.

The newlyweds immediately moved into a humble, little prairie home and began their own family with 2 boys, Kendall and Alan. In the late 60’s, they were able to get a house in Shelby, where they had 2 more children, Kayleen and Mark. Much like him, Lloyd’s kids were included in the family farm tradition, spending summers in trucks, tractors, and combines, bringing in the crop, and eating ham-and-cheese sandwiches while listening to “The Paul Harvey News Hour”. Although Lloyd and Barbara separated in 1980, they reconnected in 2018 and stuck together until Lloyd’s passing.

Toward the end of Fred Kanning’s life, Lloyd and his siblings incorporated his assets into The Kanning Farm Corporation in 1972. In addition to maintaining his own personal farmland, Lloyd was always an active participant in the corporation, acting as President much of the time.

Lloyd was a passionate golfer all of his life and was a member at the Marias Valley Golf and Country Club in Toole County. By all accounts, he was a formidable opponent who participated in and won many tournaments.

Lloyd is survived by his children: Kendall Kanning, Alan Kanning, Kayleen Nelson, and Mark Kanning; His grandchildren: Caitlin Freund, Tanner Kanning, August Kanning, Emma Nelson, Hannah Nelson, and Cleo Kanning; His great grandchildren: Emory and Talulah.

Family visitation open to the public will be Sun, May 17, from 2pm to 4pm at Whitted Funeral Chapel Shelby.

Memorial service will be Mon, May 18, at 11am at Devon Lutheran Church.