Charles Kienenberger

Charles Kienenberger 86 of Malta, Montana passed away peacefully on April 5th. Charles was born December 23,1933 to Walter C. and Ruth (Shaw) Kienenberger at the family ranch north of Dodson. He attended long View School until the 8th grade, at which time he stayed at home to work the family ranch. In 1955 Charles and brother Dean formed a partnership and they worked that together until 1972 when Rocky Ridge Ranch was formed. Charles was drafted into the Army in 1957 and served until 1959 then he returned to the ranch. In 1963 on November 30th he married Sharon Wright. Together they had two children Shirley Kienenberger- Fisher and Cheryl Weaver. Charles and brothers Hoot, Dean, and Bruce formed the Rocky Ridge Ranch Corporation. They worked that together until 1997 when the ranch was divided and his share became X Bar X Cattle Co with Cheryl and Charlie. He worked every day from dawn to dusk with his sidekick Blue and trusty steeds Cappy and later Pete. He enjoyed every minute of what some would call work. In 2002 he moved into “retirement” and he and Sharon relocated to Zortman and spent some winter time in Arizona. He continued to come to the ranch and help with the haying and cow detail in spite of his decline in health over the past few years. Charles was a gentle man with a big heart and always willing to help anybody that needed it. He enjoyed going to coffee with the guys and always had time to visit with a friend that he saw on the street. He was known as Grandpa Charlie to many and will be greatly missed by all. He is survived by wife Sharon Kienenberger of Malta, daughters Shirley (Bob) Kienenberger-Fisher of Kevin MT and Cheryl and Charlie Weaver of Dodson. He was very proud of his grandchildren Joseph Kienenberger, Tyler Weaver, David Weaver, and Jennifer (Hunter) Rickett. He loved the hugs from his great grandchildren Miley and Savannah Weaver and Caylynn and Gabriel Rickett. He is also survived by sisters Elizabeth Opland, Virginia Eskildson, Sherry (Bill) Baker and brothers Dean (Carol), Bruce (Leona), Ted (Mary Ellen) Kienenberger and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Dorthy Lumsden, brothers Bud, Hoot, and Doug Kienenberger. Private family graveside service this week with a public celebration of life at a later date.

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