Kenneth Todd

Kenneth Bayard Todd died at his home in Boise, ID on November 23, 2021, from heart failure at the age of 91, while being cared for by his children and First Choice Hospice. Celebrations of his life will be held Saturday May 21, 2022, from 2-5 pm at Winstead Park in Boise, ID and a graveside service on July 3, 2022, at Sunset Hills Cemetery, 121 N Rouse Ave, Bozeman, MT at 11 am, followed by an open house reception at Clay and Georgie Todd’s home at 5 Salmon Fly Lane N, McAllister, MT. All friends and family are welcome to attend both or either of the memorial services.

Kenneth Bayard Todd, the son of Thomas Bayard Todd and Erma Louisa Todd, was born May 26, 1930, in Bozeman, MT. Kenneth’s only sibling was his sister, Phyllis Darlene Todd, who was three years older than him. As a native Montanan raised by a pioneering family, he inherited a deep love of the land and nature, a strong work ethic, and patriotic values. These values would guide his life and create a legacy that will long be remembered. His dedication to family was instilled in his childhood and would grow with each decade. At the end of his life, he was truly the patriarch of the Todd Family. He will be remembered as a noble and devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle.

Ken was raised the first ten years of his life on the Le Beau Ranch, one mile west of Gallatin Gateway, MT and had a happy childhood with his sister Phyllis. In 1940, the family moved back to the Goose Ranch outside Gallatin Gateway. From 1943 through early 1946, his family leased the Bess Smith Farm and then purchased the Bradley/White Middle Creek Farm in February 1946. Ken drove to and from both farms during high school and college.

Ken attended Gallatin County High School from 1944 to 1948. He was active in 4-H, FFA, and was a member of the National Honor Society. He attended High School Week in Mathematics and was a delegate to Boys State.

Ken attended Montana State College, now Montana State University. Ken worked with his parents on their farm though out college. He was active in Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Agriculture Club, Alpha Zeta – Agriculture Honorary, Little International Livestock Show, Ski Club, Livestock Judging Team, and ran cross country. He graduated in June 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, majoring in Animal Industry.

Upon graduating, Ken received an ROTC Commission in the United States Air Force as a second lieutenant. Ken spent most of his military career in Boise, ID, assigned to the USAF Ground Observer Corps Detachment. In 1953, Ken was promoted to first lieutenant and became USAF GOC Detachment Commander. Ken received his Honorable Discharge from the Air Force on October 14, 1954. He returned to the family farm and began graduate studies in economics at Montana State College.

Ken married Donna Claire Carmichael on November 4, 1954, at the First Methodist Church in Bozeman, MT. They lived with Ken’s parents the first two years of marriage and welcomed their first son, Clayton Todd in 1955. In 1956, Ken’s appendix developed gangrene and had to be removed. Ken was unable to do physical labor, which resulted in him leaving the farm, selling his livestock, and withdrawing from graduate classes. He found employment with National Farm Loan Associations, where he worked in Bozeman, MT, Preston, ID, and then Billings, MT. Ken and Donna’s daughter, Ginny Todd, was born in 1957, while the family lived in Preston, ID. From 1958 to 1966 he worked in Billings, MT as a field man, an appraiser, and then manager of four National Farm Loan Associations simultaneously. Ken and Donna contracted to have a house built in Billings and built their life there making numerous lifelong family friends. Wayne Todd, their second son, was born in 1965. Ken was a Cub Scout Leader and a Deacon for the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches.

In 1967, Ken accepted a position as Farm Loan Manager with Kansas City Life Insurance Company and moved the family to Boise, ID, where they purchased the home Ken would live and raise his family in for the rest of his life. Preston Todd, Ken’s third son, was born in 1968 in Billings. In 1974, Kansas City Life Insurance Company decided to close the Boise office and Ken became an independent fee appraiser.

Ken was a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and became an Accredited Rural Appraiser in 1973. He accepted a temporary position as a Realty Specialist and an Appraiser for the United States Bureau of Reclamation in 1975. When the Teton Dam failed in June 1976, Ken was put in charge as the Review Team coordinator for the Teton Claims Offices. In 1981, Ken became the Regional Appraiser for the Bureau of Reclamation until his retirement at the end of May 2000. While adjusting to retirement, Ken did contract work for the Bureau of Reclamation in 2001 and 2002.

After 28 years of marriage, Ken and Donna divorced in February 1983. Soon after, he met Carol Ann Bryan Anderson on a blind date. Carol had three sons: Kris Jon Anderson, Jon James Anderson, and Wesley Alan Robin. Ken and Carol were married on December 28, 1983, at the First Methodist Church in Boise. A curious person who sought out knowledge, Carol earned five degrees in her lifetime and was an avid quilter. Married almost 35 years, Ken and Carol enjoyed traveling to visit family, bird watching, gardening, fishing, Boise Philharmonic performances, and their numerous dachshunds. They were life members of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Gallatin County Historical Society and Pioneer Museum, and regular contributors to the Todd Family Memorial Scholarship for blind students attending Montana State University.

Ken and Carol did have medical challenges during their marriage with Ken battling colon cancer in 1991. Life changed dramatically the last 9 years of their marriage when Carol began to exhibit symptoms of progressive dementia immediately following open heart surgery in 2009. In 2013, when Carol’s dementia became severe and it was no longer safe to be at home, Carol was placed at Emerson House and Ken visited her daily. Ken was a dedicated spouse and caregiver until Carol passed away in 2018.

After Carol’s death, Ken was again able to travel and attend family events making many trips to the Sugimoto/Todd family cabin in McAllister. His son Wayne Todd moved back home in 2016. Together they gardened and grew delicious rhubarb, tomatoes, cabbage, and other produce which they were famous for with neighbors and friends. Ken’s health was stable until March 2021 when he was diagnosed with heart failure and pulmonary fibrosis. With the help of his children, he was able to stay in his home and even travel to Montana to see Clay and Georgie’s new home and visit friends and family at the cabin during his last year.

Ken Todd defined what it meant to be a good neighbor and compassionate, steadfast friend. He could always be counted on to lend a helping hand without expecting a reward. Ken was a kind and gentle soul who lived a life of connection with family and friends making frequent doorbell/ phone visits or sending emails/typed letters to check in. He was easy-going and willing to go with the flow and try new experiences. He was also knowledgeable, curious, and resourceful, always seeking facts and understanding. Ken’s slow speech pattern and quick-witted humor were memorable. He had encyclopedic knowledge of Montana and Idaho history/wildlife/flora, family history/genealogy, gardening, and investment strategies. We will all remember him when we see an elk or dachshund, travel to the Montana, or enjoy a sun ripened tomato, good radish, or rhubarb/strawberry pie. Nothing was more important to him than family, and his love and support has blessed our lives.

Kenneth is survived by his son Clayton Todd (Georgie) of McAllister, MT; daughter Ginny Todd Sugimoto (Mark) of Silverdale, WA; son Wayne Todd of Boise, ID; and son Preston Todd of Bainbridge Island, WA. Surviving grandchildren include Benjamin Todd (Kelly) of Tallahassee, FL; Ryan Todd (Brea) of Jacksonville, FL; Megan Peterson (Robbie) of Tallahassee, FL; Lacy Johnson Flores (Jesus) of Caldwell, ID; Cortney Todd of Boise, ID; Katherine Woods (Michael) of Bremerton, WA; Thomas Sugimoto (fiancé Kana) of Silverdale, WA; Isabella Todd of North Hills, CA; and Josephina Todd of Ellensburg, WA. Surviving great grandchildren include Colton, Madilynn, Ryan, & Clayton Todd (parents Ben & Kelly); Calvin, Selah, Mollie, & Arthur (parents Megan & Robbie); Giselle, Annabel, & Bayli (parents Lacy & Jesus); and Henry & Ruby (parents Katherine & Michael). Surviving stepsons include Kris Anderson (Kathy) of Lake Oswego, OR; Jon Anderson (Paula); and Wesley Robin of Johns Crick, GA. Surviving step-granddaughters include Megan and Lauren Anderson (parents Kris & Kathy).

The family wishes to thank First Choice Hospice and all those who cared for Ken in his final year of life. Memorial donations may be made to Gallatin County Historical Society and Pioneer Museum at 317 West Main, Bozeman, MT 59715, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation on-line or to the Todd Family Memorial Scholarship at MSU, make check to BMAB (Bozeman chapter of Montana Association of the Blind), PO Box 6797, Bozeman, MT 59771. The family hopes to see you at the planned memorials in 2022.