Carol "Monty" C. Montgomery

Carol “Monty” C. Montgomery, 98, of Loveland, Colorado, passed away in his home on April 6, 2021.  He was born October 30, 1922, on a farm near Sabetha, Kansas to Robert and Ione (Trees) Montgomery. 

Monty worked on the family farm through his youth, graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy, and actively participated in the FarmHouse fraternity.  He married Clara L. Hibbs on August 24, 1947, in Easton, Kansas.  He and Clara worked and laughed together for 73 years.  They raised four children. 

He owned Montgomery Elevator, a feed and farm supply business in Leavenworth, Kansas.  He tirelessly served the farming community and was close to the earth and the people that worked it.  After retiring, he moved to Loveland where his oldest daughter raised her seven children. 

Monty loved the Colorado mountains with their dry climate and cool mornings and evenings.  He wrote, “Many times, when we had visitors, we would take them for a ride up in the mountains.  One time when my brother, Aurel, and his wife, Jeannette, from the home farm, in Sabetha, Kansas, were visiting, we drove up around Estes Park.  I asked him where he could go 30 miles from Sabetha and see scenery like this!” 

Monty liked sirloin steaks, Cheez-Its (he always kept a box around to snack on), German Chocolate cake, and ice cream.  He enjoyed reading Readers’ Digest and watching basketball and football on television. 

Monty was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Ione; siblings, Ivan, Aurel, and Ruth; son, Phillip; and grandson, Teague Montgomery.

He is survived by his wife, Clara, of Loveland, Colorado; daughters, Jane and Joann of Loveland, Colorado; son and daughter-in-law, David and Cindy of Eudora, Kansas; sister-in-law, Jeanette Montgomery, of Sabetha, Kansas; 18 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.  His grandchildren and great-grandchildren fondly call him “Grandpa Fix-It” and “Pop Pop Mow.”  Monty shared that one of his greatest joys in life was, “watching my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow up.” 

Monty wrote, “In the spring of 1945, I served with the 71st infantry division that fought its way clear across southern Germany and into the edge of Austria by the end of the war.  My greatest concern in life was for all the young men who gave their lives in World War II.”  Monty liked serving in World War II because he liked being a part of something that was bigger than himself. 

A Graveside Memorial service for Monty and his wife, Clara Louise Hibbs Montgomery, will be held Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Albany Cemetery north of Sabetha, Kansas.  Prior to the service, a visitation and family gathering will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Popkess Mortuary in Sabetha.  After the visitation, there will be a processional to the Albany Cemetery for the Graveside Memorial Service.  Following the service, the family invites everyone to join them for a meal at Paul and Bernice Montgomery’s home, 410 Main Street, Bern, Kansas 66408.  Monty asked that memorial contributions be made to Bristol Hospice and Veterans of Foreign Wars. 

(Obituary based on Monty’s written suggestions

for his funeral service and obituary.)