Kennedy "Kenn" Wanner

Kennedy Alfred (Kenn) Wanner passed away Monday, September 3rd at Marcus Daly Hospice Center.
Born in Jamestown, North Dakota, on August 10, 1929, to Donald F. and Ruth (McCully) Wanner, Kenn was the youngest of four children. Raised in Pingree and Jamestown, Kenn joined the Navy to become a pilot. He received a medical discharge due to an asthma condition. He then moved to Missoula to attend the University of Montana. In 1953, Kenn married Betty Vasey. After receiving a degree in Forestry, Kenn and Betty started Wanner Gardens, a nursery in the Rattlesnake. In 1967, the family moved to Corvallis where they started the Bitterroot Nursery (from an alfalfa field). They were very active in the Corvallis United Methodist Church. For 30 years, the family also sold Christmas trees in the Salt Lake City area. In 1980, after Betty was diagnosed with cancer, they sold the nursery and eventually became involved in buying wild mushrooms, following the crops from Northern California to Alaska. Kenn lost his beloved Betty in 1993.
Among Kenn's favorite things were exploring the Montana mountains, playing bridge and family gatherings. His favorite gift was a family dinner. His favorite "job" was potting plants. In 1995, Kenn met Suzanne Olsen, and they married in August of 1996. They often took walks in Missoula and Hamilton, and always returned home with pockets full of seeds from trees found on their way.
Kenn is survived by his wife Suzanne; brother Donald Jr. (Joan) Wanner of Augusta, Georgia; sister, Margaret Vogel of Seattle, Washington; sister Olive Ann (Riley) Rogers of Fargo, North Dakota; daughter Kim (Mario) Locatelli of Powell, Wyoming; daughter Kathy Wanner of Corvallis; son Scott Wanner of Grantsdale; son Kyle (Brenda) Wanner of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; grandchildren: Joe Locatelli, Gina Melger, Tony Sanderson, Shaun Powell, Sheree Powell, Nicole Wanner, Miranda Wanner, Kennidi Wanner and Kale Wanner; and ten great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the Corvallis United Methodist Church or your favorite charity.