Waunita J. (Anderson) Kanten

Waunita Joan Kanten, of rural Milan, passed away from this life Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at the Benson Hospital, at the age of 87.

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 3, 2022 at 1:30 PM at Big Bend Lutheran Church. Reverend Kristine Isder will officiate and interment will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 2 from 5-7:00 PM at the Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo and at the church for one hour before the service on Monday.

Waunita Joan (Anderson) Kanten was born in Montevideo, MN on July 12, 1935, the daughter of Oscar and Edna (Johnson) Anderson. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Baxter, and graduated from Montevideo High School in 1953. On April 10, 1955, Waunita and Floyd Kanten were united in marriage, and together, they made their home on his home farm place in 1957. She was devoted to her life as a farmer’s wife while raising their five children. She was a homemaker who expressed her love through cooking and sewing for her family and friends, as well as working alongside Floyd on the farm. In 1993, they relocated a few miles away from the original homestead, where her beloved horse barn was built. Waunita had a deep love for horses, which was passed on to her children (and grandchildren). This passion for the western way of life led to annual trail rides every summer at the Black Hills with her family for many years, camping at the Lac qui Parle Lake, horse shows, 4-H events, and rodeos. She was also very competitive when it came to sports, and enjoyed supporting her children (and grandchildren) in many different sporting events throughout grade school and into college. She was President of WELCA at Big Bend Lutheran Church, actively involved in the Milan Arv-Hus Museum, and a member of Heritage Hill. Waunita enjoyed auctions, and restoring antiques, mowing her lawn, bowling, and was known to bake the best brownies around.

She is survived by her husband of sixty-seven years, Floyd; five children: Jodi (Joe) Weber of Lake Benton, Jon (Cindy) Kanten of Milan, Jennifer (Bob) Tostenson of Milan, Jeff Kanten of Talala, OK, and Jana (David Collins) Walstrom of Ramona, OK; eleven grandchildren: Jenna (Mike) Garden, Jesse (Michelle) Weber, Sarah (Kenny) Wientjes, Tyler (Holly) Kanten, Christian Kanten, Tonya (Jesse) Christianson, Brett (Laura) Tostenson, Blair (Stephanie) Tostenson, Tatum Kanten, Samantha (Todd) Harmon, and Chance Walstrom; fifteen great-grandchildren: Wacey, Reese, Andi, Mick, Wren, Logan, Journey, Willow, Mason, Dakota, Skye, Holden, Reagan, Josephine, and Kate; a sister, Ramona (Keith) Erickson of Montevideo; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parent; sister, Elizabeth (Richard) Jurgenson; and an infant brother, Richard.