Joseph Kenser, 68

Joseph Richard Kenser 'Joe,' 68, was the eldest son of Joseph Kenser and Carol Watts. He was born April 18, 1956, in Wallace, Idaho, and grew up in the Silver Valley of Idaho. After graduating in 1974 from Kellogg High School, he later attended North Idaho College for one year. Joe enjoyed sports, hunting and fishing.

In the fall of 1974, he met Barb Peters. They married in April of 1976 and were blessed with two wonderful children while living in Silver Peak, Nev.; Katie Michelle in December 1982 and Jason Charles in April 1985. They later divorced in December 1987.

He moved to Lewistown in 1987 to work for Spotted Horse Mine, and there Joe met the love of his life, Ronda Taurman. He and Ronda began dating in April and married in July of 1988. Over the years, they made their home in Idaho, Nevada and then returned to Lewistown in May 2000.

Joe began working at the early age of 13 while attending school. Throughout the years he enjoyed working various jobs, mostly as a mill operator for gold mining companies throughout Idaho, Nevada and Montana. He retired from mining in 1997 and went on to work various jobs until finding a home at Spika Manufacturing in 2007; retiring in January 2020 to focus on his health and family.

Joe loved his family, spending time with his kids, grandkids and other people’s kids — 23, to be exact. Joe worked many, many hours to support his crew while Ronda was home caring for everyone. His family loved last-minute road trips, camping, fishing, hunting and working together. He never missed one of his grandkids' sporting events.

In April 2015, Joe was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Then, in July of 2017, the cancer had spread, and he was in for the fight of his life. Throughout the chemo and radiation, Joe continued to work with the help of Tom Spika until he retired. Always having a positive attitude and keeping life as normal as possible for his family, Joe passed away May 14, 2024, with his family by his side.

Joe is survived by his wife, Ronda; children Katie (Arod Awbery) of Lewistown, Jason (Rosie) Kenser of Reno, Nev., Michael (Misty) Aldrich of Lewistown, and Daniel (Betty) Mabey of Magna, Utah; grandkids Gage Clinton, Tyler Kenser, Danika Awbery, Nicoli Kenser, Steven Aldrich, James Aldrich, Braydon Mabey and Deven Mabey; mother Carol Watts of Kellogg, Idaho; siblings Deborah (Kip Bircher) of Kingston, Idaho, Kevin Kenser of Seattle, Wash., Sherry (Gordie) Card, of Challis, Idaho; brothers-in-law Rory English, Ronnie (Tina) Taurman of Trego, Mont., Randy Taurman of Lewistown; sisters-in-law Janette Kenser of Kellogg, Idaho, Renee (Larry) Howard of Lewistown; several nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. He is preceded in death by grandparents Verna and Lloyd Kenser, Wilber (Smitty) and Clarice Smith; father Warner Joseph Kenser; sister-in-law Joy English; mother-in-law Betty Taurman Gould; and stepfather Dean Watts.

A celebration of life for Joe will be held at Pinehurst Golf Course on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 1 p.m. Committal will take place at South Fork Cemetery, Mont., on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at 2 p.m. for close family and friends who wish to attend.

Creel Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Joe’s family and friends can share memories and condolences at www.creelfuneralhome.com.