Lawrence Michael Zanto was born on December 30, 1943, to Henry and Irene Zanto in Great Falls, Montana. He was the oldest of seven siblings and the son of a Montana farmer and a registered nurse growing up in Highwood, Montana. He passed away on September 08, 2021, after living a very full and happy life. His family celebrates him!
Larry graduated from high school in Highwood, Montana in 1961 and went on to graduate from Carroll College in Accounting in 1965. He was brilliant. It is said that he never needed to open a book and still got straight A’s. He loved starting his days early and moved through the Sunday newspaper crossword and sudoku puzzles in record time not leaving even one answer blank.
Larry was also a veteran of the United States Army Medical Reserve Corps. He was a ranking officer in the 396 Station Hospital and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 31 years of service. His civilian career began at the budget office working for then Governor, Tom Judge. From there he moved to Chicago working for American Mutual Service Alliance. He returned to Helena to work for Governor Judge, as Director of the Department of Institutions. He played an integral role in the construction and opening of the new Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge. He then worked for a private workers’ compensation insurance company retiring in 2014 after a long and very successful career.
Many people call Larry their friend. They are all correct and they are all truly friends. If you claim to be his friend, you are. He never met a stranger and spent hours in social settings having meaningful conversation and enjoying others for who they were as human beings and listening to the stories they shared with him. He would smile as he listened – always listening more than he talked.
Larry and Patricia Buerman shared three children, who loved him more than he will ever know. Lance, Lori and Becky would like everyone to know how proud they are to call Larry their “Dad.” Unknowingly, he taught them many things in life including how to always make people feel valued and included, how to treat total strangers with genuine kindness, and modeled the “glass half full” side of life. He also taught Lance the love of cars – a lifetime passion they shared together and would talk about for hours on end.
In 1994 Larry married Kathie Kuntz resulting in blending six children in total. Larry and Kathie enjoyed many years of adventures throughout their life which included traveling abroad with Bob and Lou Kuntz. Through the years there was plenty of love, laughs, tears, and plenty of memories made. When they retired and moved to Arizona the adventures continued with their many new friends and frequent trips to Mexico.
From our family to all who are reading this: There is never enough time with those we love. While we are grateful for Larry’s long and happy life, his passing reminds us that every day and every moment matters. Share out loud all the good things that go through your mind in the moment, be forgiving and gracious of others, be accepting of differences because we can learn from each other if we are open to the lesson.
Peace and love to you all – Lance, Lori, Becky, Kathie, Jon, and Jadin.
Larry is survived by his wife Kathie (Kuntz), son Lance Zanto (Lynn), and daughters Lori King (Roger) and Becky Bannon (Jolene). His stepsons Jon Van Steenvort (Jennifer) and Jadin Van Steenvort, his brother’s Dennis Zanto (Deborah), Patrick Zanto (Patricia), Gregory Zanto (Darcy) and sisters Rita Caruso (Steve), Nancy Davey (Joseph), and Diane Payton (Mark). His grandchildren Shae Talley (Shane), Leigh Zaugg (Lauden), Rachel Pilcher (Braedan), Kasey Chovanak (Taylor), Kiersten Van Steenvort, Kade Van Steenvort, Stella Van Steenvort, and Scarlet Van Steenvort; and numerous nieces and nephews. Larry is also survived by his beloved dogs Lucy and Lola.
He is preceded in death by his mother Irene (Roudebush) Zanto, father Henry Zanto, his mother-in-law Mary “Lou” Kuntz, his father-in-law Dr. Robert (Bob) E Kuntz and his stepson Jason Van Steenvort who is very much missed, and several dogs which he cherished and loved over a lifetime
A funeral liturgy will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 19th at Our Lady of the Valley, 1502 Shirley Rd in Helena. Burial with honors will follow the service at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. A reception will follow at Jorgenson’s Inn & Suites, 1714 11th Ave, Helena.
Service Schedule
Funeral Liturgy
11:00 a.m.
Friday November 19, 2021
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
1502 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Inurnment
Following the Mass
Friday November 19, 2021
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Friday November 19, 2021
Jorgenson's Restaurant
1720 11th Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Funeral Liturgy
11:00 a.m.
Friday November 19, 2021
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
1502 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Inurnment
Following the Mass
Friday November 19, 2021
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Friday November 19, 2021
Jorgenson's Restaurant
1720 11th Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
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Mary Kay Bennett says
Lance and family:
I am so sorry about your dad.
Larry & I go back a long way and I remember the good times.
Your friend, Mary Kay
Mark Johnson says
R I P my friend
Susan and Rich Proul says
Lance, We are so sorry to hear of your dads passing. You, your sisters and family are in our thoughts and prayers. May he Rest In Peace
Jim Wilcox and Sally Russell says
We are so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. He was a great man. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
RIP Larry
Bob Mullen says
I’m so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. I will remember Larry fondly. He was a great guy and a good friend. Wishing his children comfort and peace. My thought and prayers to Larry and family.
Carol Dolan says
I am so sorry to learn of Larry’s passing. I have many memories of visits to the ranch in Highwood and of Larry and our Zanto cousins. We always had a great time! Prayers and hugs to all of you.
Carol Marron Dolan
Joni Bening says
When I was very young I uncle Larry would play game after game of Memory with me. I wonder if he let me win because I remember how much fun it was. Big hug to my cousins and Aunt Kathie.
Linda Opie says
So sorry for your loss, Larry was an awesome guy.
Larriann Murphy says
Lance, Kathi, and All of the Zanto family,
So sorry to hear about Larry. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Larriann and Mike Murphy
Steve and Jeri Mosby says
So sorry to hear about Larry he was a really good person. It was an honor to know him. Steve and Jeri Mosby and family.
Don Pratt says
The Zanto Family: So sorry to hear of the passing of Larry. He was a great friend.
Bill Ranard says
Kathy and Lance
Very sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. He was an awesome lifelong friend. Although in later years we weren’t in close touch, I often thought of Larry fondly, remembering as teenagers, the fun we had working and playing together.
Chuck Johnson says
Please accept our condolences. As a newspaper reporter. I covered Larry when he was a department director under Gov. Tom Judge. Larry was always open and forthright with his answers. Later, when I would see him around town, Larry was always friendly and quick with funny stories from the past. He was a good guy who will be missed.
Chuck Johnson and Pat Hunt
Sidney Armstrong says
Larry was an exceptional and talented man, and a good friend! He was a colleague when I worked for Governor Tom Judge and an excellent and respected department director. He was part of a great group of colleagues and friends who gathered, told stories, supported each other…and often came up with some good ideas for state government. We were happy when Kathie sometimes joined us. Those were great days. Though I haven’t seen Larry for a long time, he will always be a treasured friend. My deepest sympathy to Kathie and all his family and friends and prayers for peace and consolation. May his memory always be a blessing.
James Maher says
I was fortunate to know Larry while in the Army Reserves. Wonderful man, my condolences to the family.