Larry F. Kanthak

Larry Kanthak, age 76 of Monticello, MN passed away on August 15, 2024 at his Plymouth vacation slab with family by his side.  Larry was born on May 2, 1948, in Mora, MN.  The son of Dutch and Ellen Kanthak (Gould). He was united in marriage to Connie Standring in 1971.  They had a son David, and two amazing daughters, Meghan and Heather.  Life takes us in different directions and Larry found the love of his life and later married Georganne Klumpner-Stadnik in 1995 and welcomed a better son into his life, Johnny. 

In 1966, after graduating from Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, MN, Larry found himself playing trombone and singing vocals for the Marvelous Marauders.  The band was eventually inducted into the Minnesota Rock Country Hall of Fame in 2005.  In 1968, he was drafted by the United States Army to fight in Vietnam.  During that time, he earned honors and awards for bravery.  Following his return, he attended and graduated from St. Cloud State with a BS in music.  Upon graduation he began work in the Royalton School District.  After one year, in 1974, he moved to the Monticello School District. 

During Larry’s tenure in Monticello, he first and foremost was a choral director. He also taught K-12 students as a director for musical productions, marching band, band, and orchestra. With the help of talented colleagues and friends he created a music program that was legendary, something he was incredibly proud of. 

Larry shared his talents with the community too. He stepped in as the TEMPORARY choral director at the Community United Methodist Church, 43 years later he was still conducting at the church. With his “spare time”, he created the Monticello Community Choir, he coached hockey and basketball, he attended his children’s events, and he cherished his time to rejuvenate up north at the cabin.

Larry will be greatly missed by his wife Georganne; brother Tom (Diane Aldis) Kanthak of Golden Valley,  sisters Margo Kanthak of Waite Park, and Julie Kanthak of Carver; children David (Stacy Antony-Foerster) Kanthak, of Maple Grove, Meghan (Chad) Liebzeit of Greenleaf, WI, and Heather (John Jones) Kanthak of Big Lake; Johnny Stadnik of St. Petersburg, FL; grandchildren Tyler (Brittny) Frie, Jared Frie, Westen Liebzeit, Bryce Liebzeit, Olivia Frie and Jayden Kanthak and many other extended family members.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Catherine of Brighton Hospice. The care and compassion she provided for Larry and family during his last few months was a true gift. 

Larry’s kindness, creativity, and wit have inspired thousands of people and will continue to as his legacy endures.

Please join us on August 24th for Larry’s Celebration of Life at the Monticello High School Auditorium.  If you don’t know where that is, Larry would say, “Don’t bother coming.”  Social hour starts at 1 pm and the Celebration of Life is at 2:00 pm.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Larry F. Kanthak, please visit our floral store.