Thursday, June 05, 2025
44.0°F

Local ranchers feted at annual ag banquet

BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months AGO
by BERL TISKUS
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. Contact her at btiskus@leaderadvertiser.com or 406-883-4343. | April 3, 2025 12:00 AM

St. Ignatius farmers Dennis and Melvina Krantz were honored for their contributions to agriculture in the Mission Valley at the 45th annual Ag Appreciation Banquet, held March 28 at the community center in Ronan.

Melvina and Dennis have been married 54 years and have two sons, Tim and Justin. “Justin boots, you know,” Melvina explained later of her son's name.

They live in the house Dennis and his 11 siblings grew up in and farm the land his parents, Hyram Franklin “Frank” and Barbara Krantz, purchased in 1930. The place is across the road from the Krantz Memorial Cemetery on Hwy. 93 as it ascends Ravalli Hill from St. Ignatius.

Dennis and Melvina raise hay and wheat with Dennis’s parents and run about 100 cows and calves.

“We’re the ones you call if there are cows on the road,” said Melvina.

A contingent of Krantz family members showed up to applaud the couple, including both their sons.

Brian Miskimins of Anderson Broadcasting emceed the event. He also led the group in singing Happy Birthday to Ray Salomon, who turns 93 soon.

The event was put on by the Ronan Chamber of Commerce and celebrated local ranchers and farmers who contribute so much to the valley.

Glacier Bank and Valley Bank hosted a social hour from 5-6 p.m. Friends gathered, visited, met folks new to the valley, and greeted friends they hadn’t seen for a while.

Then guests were treated to food grown in the valley – baked potatoes came from Lake Farms, steaks from White’s Wholesale Meats and coleslaw from Lynn’s Drive In, rounded out with cake for dessert.

It was truly a community affair, according to Ronan Chamber President Katie Jo Elliott. Chamber members and friends cooked, tended bar, served dinner, and cleaned up. Dave Marmon and his crew cooked the meat in the Beef Barn.

4-H member Ella Grainey and FFA members Hayley Bergh, Drew Holmlund, Aaron Luke, Carnell Smith and Brenton Welker served food and bussed tables. Valley Bank Community Scholarship participants, working with Shannon Paton, decorated the dining room with pastel balloons, twigs, nests and Easter eggs provided by Westland Seed.

Guests mingled, saw old friends, made new ones, and enjoyed appreciation for all the work they do.

    FFA members on hand to serve food and bus tables at the Ag Appreciation Dinner in Ronan were Carnel Smith, L, Benton Welker, Drew Holmlund and Hayley Bergh. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
 
 
    A table full of Krantz family members came to last week's Ag Banquet to cheer on Dennis and Melvina Krantz as St. Ignatius ranchers were honored for lifetime contributions to Mission Valley agriculture. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
 
 
    Charlo rancher Jaye Johnson was in visiting mode at the Ag Appreciation dinner in Ronan. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
 
 


MORE BREAKING-NEWS STORIES

Super Oval hosts super egg hunt
Lake County Leader | Updated 1 month, 1 week ago
Whoopin' it up with Wylie and the Wild West
Lake County Leader | Updated 4 months, 1 week ago
Ag Days brings kids to the Cheff ranch
Lake County Leader | Updated 3 weeks ago

ARTICLES BY BERL TISKUS

Ronan grads told: "No more time for procrastination"
June 5, 2025 midnight

Ronan grads told: "No more time for procrastination"

The Ronan High School Band played the processional ushering in the Class of 2025 last Friday evening. The stands of Laverne Parrish Memorial Field were filled with parents, grandparents, relatives and friends, many holding flowers, who came to celebrate the 89 graduates of Ronan High School.

June 2, 2025 midnight

No more parking behind Ronan Liquor Store

Janelle Campbell of the Ronan Liquor Store asked the Ronan City Council to abandon or change the wording of the City of Ronan easement behind the store during its meeting last Wednesday.

Help and support hallmarks of annual Women 4 Wellness
May 29, 2025 midnight

Help and support hallmarks of annual Women 4 Wellness

Women 4 Wellness once again brought healthcare seekers and healthcare providers to the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center at Salish Kootenai College last Thursday.