A Mass of Christian burial for Rudolph “Rudy” Kanta, 80, Williston, at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The Rev. Dennis Schafer is officiating. Interment is at the Riverview Cemetery.

Catholic prayer services are at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3 at the Fulkerson Funeral Home chapel.

Friends may sign the online register book and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com.

Rudolph Paul Kanta was born on Jan. 13, 1930, in Sumatra, Mont., to Frank and Susie (Rusnek) Kanta. He was raised in the Catholic faith with nine other siblings on a ranch which sat in the hills of Montana between Ingomar and Sumatra. He was educated at Sumatra. While in school, Rudy was active in and enjoyed sports, especially basketball.

In September 1951, Rudy enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 185th Engineer Company. He received the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. He was honorably discharged in August 1953. After his military service Rudy returned home.

On Aug. 24, 1956, Rudy was united in marriage to Loretta Faulkner at Watford City. The couple first resided in Watford City where Rudy began a long career in the oil industry.

Rudy learned the oil development business from the “ground up” and retired as the manager of Cliff’s Drilling Company, an oil and gas exploration company. He retired from oil in 1990.

Rudy liked to stay busy. Soon after his retirement he took a job with Dick Jensen and helped him with his farming duties and tending to his cattle. Rudy and Loretta moved to the Lake View Loop area in 1981 and have made their home there these past years.

Rudy died on Monday, Feb. 1, 2010, at his rural Williston residence, with his loving wife, Loretta at his side.

He was a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, American Legion, and the Elks Lodge.

He enjoyed the coffee buddies at Hardees and McDonald’s.

He enjoyed gardening; especially growing corn, potatoes and cucumbers; oops, there goes a little bit of the rhubarb. He enjoyed his family and grandchildren, and caring for his home at Lake View Loop.

Rudy is survived by his wife, Loretta, Williston; daughter, Deb (Randy) Hoffman, Bismarck and their children, Kelsey and Matthew; sons, Daniel (Kristi) Kanta, Polson, and their son, Sutton; Darcy (Karen) Kanta Grand Forks, and their children, Jamie, Lucas and Boone; grandson, Ryan; brothers, Gesa Kanta, Forsyth, John Kanta, Helena, Paul (Margaret) Kanta, Forsyth and Joe (Sandy) Kanta, Melstone; sisters, Mary Perkins, St. Louis, Mo., Ann Kanta, Billings and Terry Wilson, Melstone; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Douglas in 1980; brother, Frank Jr., and sister, Ethel.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorials to the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Friends may call until 5 p.m. on Wednesday at the Fulkerson Funeral Home, Williston from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday and an hour prior to services at the church.