Local ranchers feted at annual ag banquet

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)