Richard Hergett

LAUREL - On Jan. 15,2011, God has called home to heaven Richard Hergett, who passed away peacefully in his sleep at The Crossings in Laurel at 4:40 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011. Dad passed away two days after celebrating his 98th birthday. Richard Hergett was born on Jan. 13, 1913, weighing 13 pounds, in Park City, Mont., to Lewin Hergett and Julia Runk Hergett. Richard was the oldest child in a family of six children. Richard received the gift of Holy Baptism on Feb. 2, 1913, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Park City by the Rev. H. T. Rauh. Richard publicly confessed his faith and was confirmed on April 1, 1928, in Billings. Richard was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Laurel.

Richard married his sweetheart, Anna Mary Gross, on March 3, 1935, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Park City, Mont. They began their married life farming with his father, and then later bought a farm of their own west of Park City where they raised their four children. In 1949, they moved to a home on Birch Avenue in Laurel where they remained for sixty years. During their early years of marriage, he worked on his father's farm and he also went to Lima, Mont., to work for one summer for the WPA where he built jack-pole fences.

In 1945, he began working at the Laurel Leaf Refinery (now CHS), Laurel, retiring in 1975 after 30 years of employment. In his early years he was a boxer and had boxing events in Billings, Red Lodge and Joliet. His greatest love was for his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. His love was showered on them all. His favorite pastimes were motorcycles, bowling, fishing and camping with his faithful fishing partner, wife, Anna. He especially enjoyed working in his yard and garden every year, both of which he kept to perfection up to the age of 95.

Richard was a tall, big, strong, kind and gentle man who was loved dearly by all who knew him. We will miss him terribly but we know he and Mom are together in heaven. We love you, Dad. Many thanks to the wonderful staff at the Crossings for the loving care they gave Dad and to his friends at the Crossings, especially Herman. Special thanks to Pastor Arlo Pullmann for his visits to Dad through the years and for his prayers and words of comfort to our family during this difficult time.

Richard is survived by his four children: Betty (Henry) Lich, Laurel, Joanne (Richard) Nauman, Park City, Janice (Robert) Armstrong, Libby and Gerald (Sharon) Hergett, Laurel. He is survived by 11 grandchildren: LaRay Mears, Alan (Dana) Lich, Wanda (Jason) Richardson, Rich (Shelly) Nauman, Russ (Robbin) Nauman, Rod (Valerie) Nauman, Alison (Terry) Jacobs, Bill (Robin) Armstrong Jr., Guy (Jan) Armstrong, Gregg Hergett, and Garry Hergett. Richard is also survived by 29 great-grandchildren: Stephanie Mears (Loren) Schrag, Amanda Mears (Clarence) Turner, Randi and Sydney Lich, Lindsay, Courtney, Ashley and Jeffrey Richardson, Cal and Megan Nauman, Whitney (Kyle) Marsh, Chad (MacKenzie) Nauman; Alyssa, Shane and Daniel Nauman, Mitchell, Rebecca, Marshall and Benjamin Jacobs, Danielle Armstrong (Doug) Eklund, Michael and Taylor Armstrong, Amybeth Armstrong (Kevin) Kline, Courtney, Brant, and Chase Armstrong, Jarred, Brandon and Carly Hergett. Richard has five great-great-grandchildren: Kevin, Joanna and Natalia Schrag and Jadyn and Evelynn Turner with another great-great-grandchild on the way. Also, surviving Richard is his brother, Victor (Evelyn) Hergett of Laurel and many close nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Anna; siblings Freida (Williard) Wehr, Karl (Martha) Hergett, Teresa (Rose) (Maurice) Holmes, Marie Fox, and Daniel Mears, (granddaughter LaRay's husband)

Funeral services for Richard Hergett will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 417 West Ninth Street, Laurel. Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church. P. O. Box 185, Laurel, MT 59044. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, at Smith Funeral Chapel-Laurel.