Keith Lee Jennings, 78, passed away on July 1, 2025.
Keith was born on December 24, 1946, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Harlon and Helen (Faulkner) Jennings. He moved to Helena, Montana, in 1950 and graduated from Helena High School in 1965.
Keith met the love of his life, Rennay Harris, while they were in high school. Although it took him four years to ask her to marry him, their bond lasted a lifetime. Together for 61 years and married for 57 years since December 30, 1967.
Keith took mechanic classes in high school. Following high school, he worked at Boeing in Washington. He decided to come home to join the military. He wanted to have a say in what branch, he was a Sgt. in the Air Force serving four years during the Vietnam War. After his military service, he returned to Helena, where he worked for A-1 Rentals for over 40 years.
Keith was a simple, plain man who valued hard work. He didn’t care much about sports but loved working, tinkering with engines, and spending time at Hap’s and Nickel’s visiting with friends. A true “Ford man,” Keith drove a 1997 Ford truck and rebuilt countless engines over the years, always sticking with Ford.
Keith lived by the principles of no debt, working hard, and providing for his family. He is remembered for his quiet, private nature and no-nonsense approach to life. Keith enjoyed reading books and tinkering with anything mechanical. A lot of his family’s fondest memories are at dog creek, where they frequently went camping, his children recall riding on the firewood piles in the back of the truck. Another fond memory is listening to Paul Harvey stories over lunch at his parents’ house with his family.
Keith is survived by his wife, Rennay; his children Patricia and Keith Jr.; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, his brother, his nephew, and a grandson.
Come join the family and friends at a social gathering celebrating Keith’s life from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2025 in the social center of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home.
Service Schedule
Social Gathering
2:00 p.m, to 4:00 p.m.
Friday July 11, 2025
Social Center of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Service Schedule
Social Gathering
2:00 p.m, to 4:00 p.m.
Friday July 11, 2025
Social Center of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
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LINDI RUSEK says
Sending Renae love light and prayers. Keith was an amazing man and will be missed by so many.
Sharon Heigh says
Renae and Family,
Thoughts and prayers are with you!
Sharon Baker Heigh and Family
Tammy & Brian Beattie says
Keith and Mgt, So sorry for your family’s loss. Prayers for all.
Sean Kussman says
What a great man. Im glad i got the pleasure to work with him in my younger years at A1. Many stories of him and his friends, A1 days, and many others. My condolences to the family.
Thomas Juhl says
I have known and been friends with Keith ever since he moved to the 6th Ward. While at A1 Rental hw worked on a lot of my equipment. R.I.P. my friend……..
Callie Jacques says
Rennay and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Keith was one of a kind. I have known Keith my entire life and have many great memories of him from the time I was little, including our family camping trips and breakfast at the
A-1 Counter, working with him, and our last encounter was about six weeks ago. You both have always been a part of our A-1 Rentals family, and we will miss you. Keith was a creature of habit. He always came into work early to try to work on a few things before the store opened. He always took lunch at 11:30 am and headed up to Hap’s or Nickels for a beer (or two), and then returned to eat his sack lunch. If I ever had a question or needed help, he was right there. I always got a giggle out of it while walking into the shop in the back at A-1, I would hear Keith talking to himself or talking to the machine he was working on with a cigarette hanging out of the side of his mouth. I remember thinking that it can’t be safe:) . Keith was very laid-back and level-headed. One time, Keith was rebuilding a forklift engine. He had all the parts laid out on two 8-foot tables, and it took him a couple of weeks to complete this process. Once it was reassembled and reinstalled, he jumped in the cab and said, “Well, I hope it works!” Of course, it fired right up on the first try!! They don’t make people like Keith anymore.
I will miss you.
Kim & Steve Mack says
Renae, Patty & Keith,
Our thought and prayers are with you. I’ve added a family picture from 1997 from a family gathering in the mountains.
He was a wonderful man with a big heart. He will be missed.