Kenneth Ray Mangus Jr.

Kenneth Ray Mangus Jr.

July 24, 1959 – Nov. 25, 2022

Kenneth Ray Mangus Jr. died peacefully in his sleep at home in Lovell on Nov. 25, 2022, at the age of 63. 

He was born July 24, 1959, in Billings to parents Kenneth Ray Mangus Sr. and Carol B. (Brown) Mangus. He was the fourth child in a family of five, Donna Rae, Debra Rae, Clarence Walter and Kimlee B.

After Ken Sr. and Carol divorced, Ken married Geraldine Kirkland, bringing two more siblings, Shawna and Mark, to the family. The marriage then added an additional two siblings, David and Darryn, bringing the total blended family to nine siblings.

Kenny lived in many areas growing up and throughout his life, including California, Louisiana, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming. He graduated from Lovell High School and later did training in welding and got his degree in auto CAD.

He married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Linda Ann Soiland, when he was only 18 and she was 17. They married June 9, 1978, in his parents’ home. Later, they were sealed together in the Billings Montana Temple on November 22, 1999. 

They lived most of their life together in Lovell but also moved to Colorado and Montana for a period of time and then settled back in Lovell. They had three boys of their own but opened their home as foster parents to many teenage girls over the years, loving each one and calling them their own. 

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clarence and Leola Mangus and Wallace and Verda Brown; parents Kenneth Ray Mangus Sr. and Carol B. (Brown) Mangus, stepmother Geraldine (Kirkland) Mangus; sisters Donna Rae and Debra Rae and brothers Mark and Clarence Walter.

He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Linda Ann (Soiland) Mangus; sons Jeremiah (Jessica) Mangus of Laurel, Joshua (Megan) Mangus of Lovell and Jerrad of Lovell; daughter Mary (Larry) Price of Thermopolis; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brothers Kimlee B. (Julie) Mangus, David Mangus, Darryn (Kristie) Mangus and sister Shawna Phillips, all of Billings; along with many cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.  

A funeral service was held Tuesday, Nov 29, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center. A viewing was held one hour before the service with Bishop Bob Weber officiating. Interment was in the Lovell Cemetery.