Monte often watched the clouds, going to hilltops to get the best view. "A flat bottomed cloud never rains", he'd say. He now soars above those clouds he was once mesmerized by. Monte had a heart attack just hours after he heard the news that his wife of 59 years had died. On September 7th, two weeks after his wife passed, he joined her. It was his birthday. He was 79.

Monte Daniel Kammerzell was born in Colfax on September 7th, 1937 to Harry and Maggie Morgan Kammerzell of Colfax. He married Kathy Bidle Kammerzell of Albion on November 11th, 1957; they made their home in Colfax. As a young married man, Monte raised pigs and helped his dad on the farm. He owned a tractor business, patented/produced a tool, and was a grain farmer his entire life. However, in the peak of his career he suffered a farm machinery accident, and he was eventually left unable to carry the load of running his businesses or tinkering on machinery. In his last few days, he still asked how harvest was going, and how the crops were yielding. You can take the boy off the farm, but you can't take the farm outta the boy…

His children remember their dad going on business trips, taking each of them individually, either on road trips or flying to destinations to "go see a tractor". He was spontaneous, and would often come into the house covered in dirt and grease to tell his wife, "Kathryn, we're going for a ride" (aka, let's go check the crops), or "how would you like to have dinner in San Francisco tonight?"

Monte never learned how to swim, but that didn't stop him from chasing the kids around the pool, pushing people off the dock into CDA lake, or turning sharp circles in the boat so the water would spill over onto the squealing kids in the back. He loved to get a rise out of people, even at his own expense.

This man, whom was once up at dawn, covered in grease, dirt, and hard work, would simply melt in the presence of his 4 grandsons. Patience, kindness, and love exuded for those boys!

Monte did everything his own way, and on his own timeframe. Like his prized collection of machinery watch fobs, he represents the passing of an era. Family farms being handed down through generations, and custom built farm machinery are becoming a thing of the past.

Monte was survived by his four children; Lori Morton-Cousley of CDA, Mark Kammerzell of Colfax, Julie (Dan) Wooton of Walla Walla, and Jody (Ron) Conrad of Colfax, as well as 3 grandsons; Cain Morton of Pullman, Ryan Conrad of Colfax, and Brent Conrad of Boise; Elya-Destiny Wren of Walla Walla, Jacqueline Wooton of Littleton, CO, and numerous nieces and nephews and by his brother, Keith Kammerzell.

Monte was preceded in death by his wife Kathy, his grandson Royce Morton, his two brothers Earl and Steve Kammerzell, and his parents.

The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the Whitman Hospital Foundation or to American Childhood Cancer Organization-Inland Northwest. A graveside service will be held at the Colfax Cemetery on Wednesday, Sept. 14th at 1:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at the Onecho Bible Church at 2:30 with a dessert reception following. Monte loved pie any time of day. On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com
Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax is caring for the family.