Kenneth L. “Ken” Thompson, age 61 of Helena

Kenneth “Ken” Leroy Thompson, age 61, passed away peacefully the morning of August 31, 2021, at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, MT after a courageous 4-year battle with cancer.

Ken was born in Havre, MT on February 5, 1960, to Charlotte Louise and Thomas Fielding Thompson.  He was the 4^th of his mother’s eight children.  Ken was 4 years old when his dad passed away. After his mother remarried the family moved to Helena, MT, when Ken was 7 years old. He continued his school age years in Helena.

In 1979 he met his future wife; Marla Smith and they were married July 1984.  They had five children and later divorced. During this time Ken completed welding and machine shop trade school at Helena Vo Tech.

Ken began coaching AAU wrestling when his oldest son Brandon got involved in wrestling.  As the years continued, he really developed a true love for coaching. His younger son Britton started wrestling at 3 years old and the family moved to Townsend, MT and Ken became the head coach of the AAU/USA Townsend Wrestling Club.  Years later, he organized and started the USA Cobra Montana Wrestling Club.  Ken built his club and took his team to be one of the top teams in the state of MT competing at the national level. He coached several kids to national championships and a first ever junior national triple crown winner. Through the years Ken coached wrestling and became a strong influence in many kids’ lives with his love for the sport and truly changed the game of wrestling in Montana.

Ken loved hunting, fishing, gardening, and working with his horses.  He also loved to irrigate and put-up hay on his small farm in Townsend. From an early age he loved the Dallas Cowboys and passed the love of the team to all his children.  Many Sunday and Monday nights he spent watching football together with his children. He had a love for all sports and thoroughly enjoyed watching and supporting his children in their sports and activities. Ken had many passions, but the love of his life was his children and grandchildren.  They brought so much joy into his life and made many memories with them over the years.  Ken proudly spent 21 years running the welding shop for Diamond Construction in Helena, MT.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Charlotte.  He is survived by his sons Brandon (Jamie) Thompson, Britton (Darian) Thompson, his daughters, Kamae (Kiff) Meier, Kansys Thompson all of Townsend and Kyndra Thompson of Post Falls, ID. Siblings Walter Thompson, Wayne (Vicki) Dion, John Jirsa, Tammie (Gary) Berg, Veronica Hinkle, Suzanne Hall, all of Helena, MT and Barbara Hands of Missoula, MT. Grandchildren Mercedes, Memphys, Wyatt, Whitney, Ayden, Olivielle, Meridan and Kenny, a great grandchild Camree and many nieces and nephews.  Meridan was Ken’s little “cancer” girl and always helped him stay positive and strong through his cancer treatments.

Ken’s love for life and his hard-working positive attitude along with all the wonderful memories will live on in his children and grandchildren.  He is now “Living the Dream” up in Heaven with Jesus, his mom, dad and his beloved German shepherds Jackson and Kane.

Ken’s family would like to thank all the staff at St. Peter’s Hospital for the compassionate care they provided him over the past 4 years and to Diamond Construction for all the support they have given him and his family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 17 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in Helena MT at 4:00pm with a Reception to follow. The Service will also be broadcasted Live if you are unable to attend.

Service Schedule

Memorial Service

4:00 p.m. to Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

Friday September 17, 2021

3750 N. Montana Ave

Helena

Montana, 59602 59602

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Reception

Following the Memorial Service

Friday September 17, 2021

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

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