Jeanne Knutson Lund

Jeanne Knutson Lund, 88, of Lewistown died Thursday morning, December 3, 2015, in the Central Montana Medical Center with her family by her side of natural causes. Jeanne was born April 28, 1927, in Havre, Montana. She was the first child of Kenneth and Christine (Lorass) Knutson. Her family lived in Harlem, Malta, Saco, and Malta again where she graduated from Malta High School in 1945.

She participated in the Order of Rainbow Girls in Montana and was designated as a member of the Grand Cross of Colors. Although, she probably preferred hunting with her dad rather than wearing a dress. She and her sisters sang together for Church functions, weddings and other activities. Additionally, Jeanne was a certificate winner from the Daughters of the American Revolution.

After high school she worked for her dad at the GMC dealership and garage in Malta, in addition to helping on the farm. She made many trips to the Mid-West to drive farm trucks back to the dealership. She attended College in Bozeman and met her future husband Robert Lohse Lund. Jeanne got a teaching certificate and then taught school at Landusky.

Jeanne and Robert were married on October 4, 1958 in Malta, MT. They soon began ranching near Zortman where they implemented innovative ranching ideas, such as artificial insemination and putting in one of the first irrigation pivots in the area. Jeanne was one of the first women to take the cattle artificial insemination training and assisted Robert with this and most of the ranch work.

In 1968, she and Robert moved the family to Browning where they ran a large farm and ranch. Jeanne was very involved in the haying operation and ran the bale stacker. She also doctored many calves and did most of the castrating at branding time. In 1975, the family moved to Lewistown and they ranched there until 1983.

In addition to the working on the family ranch, Robert and Jeanne were active in Montana Stockgrowers and CowBelles. After moving to Lewistown, Jeanne enjoyed golfing and she worked at the Elks golf course for several years after she and Robert no longer ranched. Jeanne was a life-long sportswoman. She enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Jeanne was a character, sometimes ornery, and known for her wit. She drove her children to numerous rodeo events throughout Montana. At these events, she provided food and support to many more young participants than just her children.

Survivors include her four children, Ron (Rita) Lund of Lewistown, MT Harlan (Sue) Lund of Shepherd, MT Hertha Lund (John Grande) of Lennep, MT and Heidi (Dean) Petermann of Wibaux, MT and by her sister Shirley Tribby of Malta, and brother Larry (Linda) Knutson of Roundup, and five grandchildren, Logan (Lindsey) Lund of Malta, Justin (Katie) Lund of Grass Range, Chelsey Lund of Lewistown, Kali Petermann of Nampa, Idaho, and Ivy Lund of Shepherd. Additionally, Jeanne has three great grandchildren, Bodie Lund, Nash Lund and Legacie Lund. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Jeanne is preceded in death by her infant son Jon Robert, her husband Robert, her brother Jay Knutson, and her sisters Joanne Pimley and Delores Campbell.

Memorial services for Jeanne K. Lund will be Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cloyd Chapel in Lewistown. The Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Friends are asked to make memorial donations to the Central Montana Medical Center, Valle Vista Manor, Shepherd's Way Assisted Living or the charity of their choice and they may be left at the Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at http://www.cloydfuneralhome.com.